Congress leaders urge PM Modi to cancel current census questionnaire

Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have appealed to Prime Minister Modi to cancel the current census questionnaire, raising concerns about its design and implementation. Kharge shared details of the letter on social media platform X on Tuesday, outlining the party's position on the sensitive matter.

The Congress leaders contended that the existing questionnaire requires revision and replacement with a new version. According to their correspondence, any revised questionnaire should be formulated using a verified and authenticated list of castes to ensure accuracy and inclusivity.

The caste-based census has remained a contentious issue in Indian politics, with various stakeholders expressing concerns about the methodology and implications of collecting such data. The Congress's move reflects ongoing debate within political circles regarding the appropriateness of current census protocols and their potential impact on different communities across the country.

The letter represents the opposition party's formal intervention in census-related discussions at a time when data collection for the exercise remains ongoing. The specific concerns raised by Gandhi and Kharge regarding the questionnaire's framework are likely to intensify discussions on the matter in political and administrative circles.