Support for Caste Census
Ravinder, the State General Secretary of the Telangana Progressive Teachers Federation, expressed his support for the caste census. He believes it will provide clarity on how to implement reservations and allocate political representation fairly among different castes. According to him, this initiative can help oppressed classes and ensure the benefits of the Constitution are distributed more equitably.
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Opposition to Caste Census
Social activist Surendra Uplenchiwar opposes the caste census. He emphasized the need to focus on providing students with good educational opportunities and enhancing their skills from an early age. While he agrees that uplifting marginalized communities is important, he argues that it should not be solely based on caste but coupled with skill development to reward merit.
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Concerns Over Redundancy
C. Raju, a student leader from the AISF in Mahabubnagar, criticized the caste census as unnecessary, suggesting it is merely a political move by the government. He pointed out that previous household surveys already contain sufficient caste data. Instead of spending resources on a new survey, he urged the government to focus on increasing reservations for BCs, SCs, and STs based on existing data. He also advocated for free education and skill training to empower backward sections.
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Data Privacy Issues
Paramesh Goud, president of the Indian Lawyers Association in Mahabubnagar, sees the caste census as a positive step for collecting demographic data to ensure reservation benefits reach deprived communities. However, he raised concerns about the state government’s survey, which includes questions about income and assets. He argued that such questions infringe on citizens’ right to privacy, protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. While supporting skill development, he criticized the overreach of the recent survey.
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Skepticism About the Process
Anusha, a private teacher from Jadcherla, criticized the Congress government’s door-to-door data collection for the caste census. She believes the process is a futile exercise and suspects it is an attempt by the government to intrude into people’s private earnings. She stated that the mismanagement of the data collection process has created distrust among the public, undermining the purpose of the census.
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Focus on Skills Over Caste
Ramakrishna, a software engineer from Karimnagar, emphasized the importance of prioritizing skill development over caste-based policies. He argued that policies should prepare the workforce for modern challenges, bridge skill gaps, and enhance employability across all sections of society. According to him, this approach fosters inclusivity and creates opportunities for everyone based on their potential, leading to equitable economic growth. He believes investing in skills is key to building a more inclusive and empowered nation.
