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The withholding of caste data in the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) has become a political hot potato in poll-bound Bihar. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday launched a full frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue. Leading a march to the Raj Bhawan demanding publishing the caste data, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who was accompanied by his sons, Tej Pratap and Tejaswi Yada, described the Prime Minister as "an enemy of backward castes" and challenged him to publish the caste census.
"Modi claims to be from backward caste, but he is actually an enemy of the backward castes. I challenge him to publish the caste data if he really hails from backward community," Prasad said. "The socio-economic caste census was conducted on "our demands" and at the initiative of the previous UPA government. What is the intention of the Central government in holding it back?" asked the RJD chief
"The socio-economic part of the data was released showing the poor condition of our countrymen, but the caste part has been held back. The caste census figures will help formulate policies for those castes that are lagging behind in development. Once we get these data, we will demand a separate budget for education, employment and other developmental activities of these castes," he said.
He also accused that the BJP led Central government is afraid to make caste census figures public as it will lead to the backward castes demanding proportionate reservation in education, employment and other resources. Prasad also called a 'Bihar bandh' on July 25 to demand the release of caste data. However, the party, later, withdrew the bandh call after realising that the Prime Minister will be visiting the state on that day.
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Vowing to launch an agitation bigger than Mandal Commission for caste census figures, Prasad said the present scheme of reservation in educational institutions and government jobs was based on caste census conducted in 1931. However, the RJD chief denied charges that he is spreading casteism by demanding caste census ahead of the Assembly polls. "I just want the caste figures released so that deprived people can demand their share in resources and employment."
With the caste factor expected to play a major role yet again in the forthcoming Assembly election, the Nitish Kumar-Lalu Prasad alliance has found major poll plank in caste census against the resurgent BJP in Bihar.
Kumar denies rift with Lalu
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday dismissed speculation on differences cropping up between him and Lalu Prasad following the Legislative Council polls result and over his decision to not attend the 'Iftar' party being hosted by the RJD supremo tonight. Kumar said he will not be able to attend Prasad's 'Iftar' party as he has to fly to New Delhi this afternoon for a host of engagements, including taking part in tonight's 'Iftar' party being hosted by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
On his engagements in New Delhi over the next couple of days, the chief minister said he will attend a meeting of Niti Ayog on July 15. He also has a tentative programme to meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
