On Nation-Wide Caste Census, Shashi Tharoor Says "Justice Is The Name Of The Game" (image:instagram/shashitharoor)
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution for the nation-wide caste census on Monday, and welcoming the decision, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that it is in thought of justice for the people of the country, and “justice is the name of the game.”
When reporters asked whether the CWC resolution is party”s masterstroke before the general election or is it a counter against the polarisation of Hindu votes, Congress MP said, “All we are thinking of is what is the need in terms of justice in our country for people.” He then said that Government has to answer what Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pointed out in Parliament why among 90 secretaries there are only 3 OBC representation, and proceeding with polarising narrative instead is “damaging for our social harmony.” Continuing further, he added that “political weaponisation of religion for polarisation purposes has become a feature for BJP’s politics,” and it is unhealthy.
Coming to caste census, Mr Tharoor said: “If we can do a proper census, which will involve social and economic factors as well, not only find out which caste people belong, but what they”re earning and what opportunities they have – we will find that there may well be a significant correlation between marginalization and caste.”
He pointed out that there may be a be a significant correlation between opportunities and economic prosperity with caste background, and in such a case, affirmative action programmes will be needed.
Adding further, he said even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted to boast about giving benefits to particular castes, the exact numbers should be known to all; inventing numbers and giving benefits according to their wishes is not just. “…if you just invent your own numbers and give benefits as you wish, that”s not particularly just and justice is the name of the game.”
Besides promising a caste census, the party’s highest decision-making body expressed condolences in its resolution over the unprecedented Sikkim floods, continuing humanitarian tragedy in Manipur, and conflict in West Asia, among many others.
