TPCC Chief Demands BC/OBC Column in Census-2027, Vows Greater Political Share for Backward Classes

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday reiterated the party's demand for a dedicated column for Backward Classes (BCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the upcoming Census-2027, asserting that such enumeration is essential to ensure greater political share and representation for these communities. Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, Reddy said the Congress party would continue to press the central government to include caste-based data in the decennial census exercise.

The demand comes amid a broader national debate over caste census, with several opposition parties, including the Congress, pushing for a comprehensive count of OBCs to inform policy decisions on reservations and welfare schemes. The BJP-led central government has so far not committed to including a caste column in the census, though it has conducted a separate Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) in the past. Reddy pointed out that BCs constitute a significant portion of Telangana's population and their political empowerment is crucial for social justice. He also assured that the Congress, if voted to power, would ensure adequate political representation for BCs in ticket distribution and governance.

The reiteration of this demand is likely to resonate with BC communities in Telangana, where assembly elections are due later this year. It puts pressure on both the state and central governments to clarify their stance on caste enumeration. Political analysts suggest that the issue could become a major electoral plank, with parties vying to woo BC voters. The Congress's push for a caste census also aligns with its national strategy to counter the BJP's narrative. The next steps would involve the central government's response and whether the demand gains traction in other states, potentially shaping the 2024 general election discourse.