India’s caste census: The BJP’s change of heart or strategy?

If there is one predictable thing about the Narendra Modi-led Indian government, it is that you cannot predict what it may do next. The sudden announcement of a caste census at a time when war clouds have been building up after the Pahalgam terror attack, caught everyone off guard. Just months ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, the move is a complete U-turn by the BJP on the issue of a caste census.

The Congress, and Rahul Gandhi in particular, have been hammering home the need for a caste census for several election campaigns and are now taking credit for the Modi government’s announcement. Rahul Gandhi said the exercise was “our vision” and has demanded a timeline for the exercise to be completed.