Ranchi, September 16 (Udaipur Kiran) : A significant march was organized by the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee in Ranchi on September 16, advocating for a separate column for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the upcoming census. The rally commenced from Bapu Vatika and saw participation from party leaders, workers, and OBC representatives from various districts.
Following the march, a delegation from Congress submitted a memorandum to the Governor, urging the central government to address their demand. The march was led by Nishant Jaiswal, the head of the Congress OBC department in the state. Party leaders emphasized the necessity of authentic data regarding the population and socio-economic status of OBCs in the census.
Keshav Mahato Kamlesh, the state Congress president, remarked that the caste census should not merely be viewed as a data collection exercise. He noted that having accurate figures on the OBC population and their socio-economic conditions could significantly aid in the formulation of policies and welfare schemes.
Minister of Rural Development, Deepika Pandey Singh, stated that the demand for OBC recognition is tied to social justice and equal opportunities. She emphasized the importance of comprehensive and reliable data for policies related to education, employment, health, and economic opportunities.
Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari added that a clear enumeration of OBCs in the census would reveal the actual size of the community, facilitating better planning for development initiatives. Pradeep Yadav, leader of the Congress legislative party, also underscored the demand for a separate column for OBCs as a matter of policy and representation.
Yogaendra Yogi, in charge of the Congress OBC department, affirmed that the party would continue to raise this demand through democratic and constitutional means. Former MP Dheeraj Prasad Sahu and former state Congress president Rajesh Thakur supported the call for authentic data on OBC population and socio-economic status.
The memorandum submitted to the Governor called for the inclusion of a separate column for OBCs in the upcoming census and the accurate recording of the community’s numbers. This march was previously announced by the party ahead of the September 16 event.
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