In a significant political push to reclaim the narrative around social justice, the Indian National Congress has launched a nationwide campaign demanding the immediate implementation of a caste-wise census and the enforcement of Article 15(5) of the Constitution. This comes in the backdrop of mounting public pressure and the BJP-led central government’s delayed response to a long-standing and legitimate demand.
The campaign, rolled out under the banner of Samvidhan Bachao Rallies, is not just a protest—it’s a mobilisation of voices across India calling for data-driven policy and equal opportunity. At the heart of this movement lies a resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on May 2, 2025, under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The resolution puts forward a five-point charter that includes a transparent and inclusive caste census, immediate parliamentary debate, full budgetary support, and the participatory involvement of citizens and civil society in designing and executing the census process.
The Congress party has stressed that updated caste data is essential for reviewing and strengthening existing policies on reservation, education, employment, and welfare. The resolution also demands the immediate implementation of Article 15(5), which enables reservation for OBCs, Dalits, and Adivasis in private educational institutions—an issue the party says has been ignored for far too long.
To ensure the campaign’s effectiveness, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has issued a detailed set of instructions to all Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs). These include setting up State-level Control Rooms to monitor the campaign, appointing District Observers for coordination, and actively engaging the public through chaupal meetings and grassroots discussions. Teachers, lawyers, shopkeepers, SHG members, civil society workers, and Bahujan voices are being brought into the fold to strengthen the demand from the ground up.
The Congress has also laid out a comprehensive media strategy. Press conferences are to be held in every Assembly constituency, while regular media briefings and targeted outreach will keep the issue in the public eye. The AICC Social Media Department is working in tandem with PCCs to amplify the message across platforms. Party workers, youth leaders, and elected representatives have been tasked with consistently posting content that highlights the Congress’ stand, Rahul Gandhi’s pivotal role in advocating for the caste census, and the BJP’s long record of resistance to it.
By turning the spotlight on the denial of caste-based data, the Congress is aiming to create a powerful narrative: one that challenges the status quo and reasserts the principle that true social justice cannot be achieved without first acknowledging inequality. Weekly progress reports from the states will ensure that the campaign remains disciplined, focused, and responsive.
As the Samvidhan Bachao Rallies unfold across the country, the Congress party has made its position crystal clear: the time for caste census is now, and the struggle for equality must move from slogans to action. With a renewed sense of purpose and a strong grassroots connect, the party is once again positioning itself as the flagbearer of the Constitution and the rights it promises to every Indian.(PR)