Caste census: Tejashwi writes to PM Modi, demanding the retention of private sector and judiciary

Patna's Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav. File Photos | Photo Source: ANI

Leader of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav of Bihar Legislative Assembly have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and have made some requests to enumerate castes including reservations for the private sector.

On April 30, 2025, the Modi government announced an increase in the caste census in an upcoming population survey.

Mr Yadav requested that contract, judicial, proportional reservations should be retained based on caste census data and the full implementation of the upcoming Mandal Commission recommendations.

Mr Yadav claimed that over the years, the National Democratic Union (NDA) government of the Centre had rejected calls for a caste census, which was divided and unnecessary.

“When Bihar proactively conducted his own caste investigation, central authorities, including the government's top legal officer and your party, created obstacles at every step. Your party colleagues questioned the need for such data collection. Your belated decision represents recognition of citizens who have long been biased towards our social sphere,” Yadav said in a letter posted on social media platform “X” on Saturday.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders further stated that the Bihar caste survey showed that other backward classes (OBC) and extreme backward classes (EBC) accounted for about 63% of the state’s population, destroying many myths to maintain the status quo.

“I’m sure that while adverse communities make up the revelation of our vast majority of our population, a serious underrepresentation in positions of power will create democratic awakening beyond political boundaries,” MR. “Yadav said.

“The first step in the caste census”

He added that conducting a caste census is only the first step in a long journey to social justice, and census data must conduct a comprehensive review of social protection and retention policies.

The former deputy chief minister, Mr Yadav, explained that the cap on bookings also had to reconsider the post-caste census.

He claimed that the caste census is also an opportunity to correct lasting injustice in the upcoming demarcation activities.

“Re-dividing constituencies should be sensitive to census data and reflect. Special provisions must be made for proper political representation for OBC and EBC, which are systematically excluded from the decision-making forum. Therefore, they will need to expand them and expand them according to the principle of proportionality of the National Parliament and the Indian Arena,” Yadav said.

He noted that the Constitution adopted its directive principles to require the state to reduce economic inequality and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Mr Yadav said that when we know exactly how many citizens belong to disadvantaged groups and their economic conditions, target interventions must be designed more accurately.

“The private sector has been a major beneficiary of public resources and cannot be aligned with social justice requirements. Companies have received substantial benefits with preferential interest rates, power subsidies, tax exemptions, infrastructure support and various financial incentives, all funded by taxpayer funds,” MR. ” Yadav said in two pages of letters.

He added: “In return, it is perfectly reasonable to hope that the private sector reflects the social composition of our country. The context created by the caste census must be used to conduct open dialogue on inclusion and diversity in the private sector across organizational hierarchies.”

Mr Yadav called the decision historic, saying the decision to conduct a caste census could be a moment of change in our country’s journey toward equality.

He asked if the data were used as a catalyst for systematic reform, or would it be confined to dusty archives like many previous committee reports?

Mr. Yadav also promised constructive cooperation assertions in leveraging the results of the census survey to achieve true social transformation.

“The millions struggling with this census are waiting not only for data, but also for dignity, not only for enumeration, but also for authorization,” MR. Yadav said.