The Apex Court issued notice in a Public Interest Litigation which sought for directions to government for holding Caste-Wise census, especially for the Backward Classes in 2021.
Through this plea, petitioner sought for directions to the central government’s Home Ministry, Social Justice and Empowerment Department. The directions were also sought for the National Commission for Backward Classes to conduct caste-wise census.
The petitioner contended that caste-wise census of backward classes would help in implementing reservations w.r.t. education, panchayat raj elections, employment at various sectors and municipal elections as well.
The petitioner also stated that due to the incomplete data regarding backward class individuals, it becomes difficult to decide the required percentage of reservations. Usually, the set percentage is not proportionate to their population.
According to the petitioner, the government has released a proforma for conducting national census in 2021 and this includes 32 columns, consisting of heads like Hindu, Muslim, SC etc. but does not incorporate a separate head for OBCs.
The plea also stated that government has planned to allocate a separate budget for the growth and development of OBCs, however, nothing would be beneficial for them unless and until their details are collected.
The petitioner also pointed towards Justice Rohini Commission which was set up in the year 2017 for the betterment and upliftment of marginalised communities and that it needs more time to come up with a proper report for the same.
The petitioner putforth before the bench the Constitutional mandate which provides that no one should be discriminated on ground of race, sex, caste, creed or color, and all are subjected to equal opportunities.
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