From ‘Urban Naxal’ to ‘Historic Decision’: BJP's U-Turn on Caste Census

New Delhi: In a surprising move, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government this week announced that the upcoming Census will include caste enumeration, a long-standing demand of opposition parties and social justice advocates. What makes the announcement striking, however, is the dramatic U-turn by top BJP leaders who, until recently, have dismissed the very idea of a caste census as “divisive,” “anti-national,” and “urban Naxal.”

In October 2023, following Bihar’s caste survey, leaders like Narendra Modi accused the opposition of “dividing the country”. Not just that, the government’s 2021 affidavit to the Supreme Court called excluding caste data a “conscious policy decision”. 

It’s worth remembering that the demand for a caste census wasn’t born in a vacuum, nor is it a sudden “masterstroke” by the ruling BJP, as some mainstream media are now branding it. For over three decades, socialist leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and others, have championed this demand.

Lalu himself reminded his critics with his signature flair: “Didn’t I say we’ll make them hold their ears and do sit-ups to get this caste census done?”. That moment arrived on April 30, when the government finally announced its decision to conduct a caste census.

Here’s a closer look at what leaders from the BJP-led government have said then and what they’re saying now.

Narendra Modi: From ‘urban Naxal thought’ to silence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a vocal critic of the caste census idea. In a Network18 interview, he equated calls for caste enumeration to “urban Naxal thought”, while also taking a jibe at Congress for allegedly wanting to take away women’s jewellery.

In another instance, he accused caste census proponents of “dividing society” – saying such moves were a “sin”. In 2021, his government told the Supreme Court that excluding caste data was a “conscious policy decision”.

But now, as BJP celebrates the inclusion, PM Modi has conspicuously remained silent,  even as his top ministers hail the move as “historic”.

Yogi Adityanath: From ‘batenge toh katenge’ to ‘revolutionary’ praise

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has arguably been the most consistent face of anti-caste census rhetoric within the BJP. In an exclusive interview, he warned that caste census would “divide India” and called it an act of “treason.”

In 2023, he stated unequivocally that his government had no plans for a caste census in UP. In another jab at the opposition, he labelled Congress and SP as “jaati ke saudagar” (caste merchants).

Yet this week, Yogi hailed the decision as “historic and revolutionary.”

J.P. Nadda: From 'only one caste' to 'historic upliftment'

BJP President J.P. Nadda had in 2019 dismissed caste politics by saying there is only “one caste, the poor.” 

But now, he calls the inclusion of caste enumeration a “historic decision for upliftment.” 

Nitin Gadkari: From 'kick out caste politicians' to all praises

Union minister Nitin Gadkari once said those who do caste politics “should be kicked out.” He often deflected the caste debate to broader “socio-economic” issues.

Now, he too has welcomed the caste census move. 

Anurag Thakur: From mockery to solidarity

In July 2024, during a parliament session in Lok Sabha, Thakur had mocked Rahul Gandhi for demanded caste census by saying, “a man whose caste is unknown is asking for caste census.”

Now, he hails the Union government’s move as an unprecedented step for social justice, claiming Congress had long stalled such efforts.

Amit Malviya's warning and U-turn

In 2010, BJP’s IT Cell chief Amit Malviya warned that caste census could “unsettle the existing social order”.

In 2024, he amplified Modi’s fears that caste census would redistribute wealth from poor Hindu women to “beneficiaries of Congress' vote bank.”

Now, after the government's U-turn, he too calls the decision a “significant step.”

Smriti Irani: Jibes then, endorsements now

In a Times Now interview, Smriti Irani mocked Congress’ caste census pitch, saying they should instead count their own members.

Now, she calls it a bold step towards “social justice and inclusion.”

Sudhanshu Trivedi: From caste denial to political defence

In an old podcast clip, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi appeared to downplay the need for caste-based discussions. He had asserted that castes are “actually professions”.

Today, he is seen actively defending the government’s move.

Kangana Ranaut's silence

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut openly opposed caste census. After internal criticism and alleged rebuke from JP Nadda, she has avoided public comment on the latest development.

Gaurav Bhatia: From denial to celebration

In 2021, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia defended the policy of not conducting caste-based census since 1951.

Now, he hails the Union government's new stance as a win for backward classes.

Giriraj Singh: From 'bhram' to solidarity

Union Minister Giriraj Singh once said caste census would only spread ‘bhram’ (confusion) among the poor. 

Now, he’s shared the announcement approvingly on social media.

Tejasvi Surya: From ‘adverse impact’ to full support

In an X post, Surya wrote that caste-based divisions “had an adverse impact” on Hindu unity and should be rejected.

This week, he too has hailed the government’s decision as transformative.

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