After expressing concern in the Lok Sabha over a GoM's recommendation that caste census could be conducted at the biometric stage of the mammoth process, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav today saw no sense in the suggestion by the empowered panel.
"The GoM's recommendation that caste census would be conducted at the biometric stage, which will be after head count that is presently underway, is aimed at making caste census irrelevant," Yadav told reporters here.
The biometric stage would see camps being set up across the country, beginning November, to collect fingerprints and iris scan of people. It is at this stage that the government intends to also prepare records of their caste.
"Calling people to camps does not appear to be a feasible option. The decision to hand out voter identity cards taken 15 years ago by the government has not been implemented completely. The latest decision of the government could also face the same fate," he said.
Questioning the logic behind the recommendation, the JD(U) chief wondered why the government wants to collect fingerprints and iris scans of poor people and tribals by calling them in groups.
"In all those areas where a particular community is in majority, the revelation of people's caste could lead to conflicts especially in rural areas, as the majority group could resort to pressure tactics," Yadav added.
Only those above 15 years of age are to be photographed and fingerprinted to create a biometric national database, as per the Group of Minister's suggestion.
Challenging this, Yadav said, "during census, everybody, be it big or small, are counted. Whereas, in the biometric camps, only those above 15 years are to be considered. Thus associating caste census with biometric camps would mean separating caste from census."
He went on to add that those opposing caste census can create problems in these camps.
"This system is not required. It should be stopped. During the head count stage itself, people should be asked to give their caste details," Yadav opined.
Earlier in Lok Sabha, JD(U) members along with other MPs of parties including BJP, BSP, SP, RJD were seen on their feet raising slogans in favour of a head count of every citizen on caste basis.
Later, representatives of these parties also met Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee, who heads the GoM on this issue, to discuss the matter.
"He assured us that a way would be found out to resolve the matter," Yadav said.
