06.06.2025.UT Daily NewS.A collection of SC.ST.Buddhist,Adivasi,reservation atrocity news of India.by Team Sivaji.9444917060.asivaji1962@gmail.com
Government to count castes, not classes in 2027 census: Sources
The 2027 Census will record individuals' self-declared castes but not categorise them into OBC, SC, or ST groups, sources told India Today TV
In Short
- Government to conduct nationwide census in India in 2027
- Caste enumeration will record individual castes, not social groups
- Census data won't affect delimitation or reservation policies
The Government of India will undertake the next nationwide census in 2027, and for the first time, caste enumeration will be formally included in the exercise. However, official sources told India Today TV that the data collected will record individual castes, not social categories or classes such as Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) or Scheduled Tribes (STs).
This means the census will not provide aggregate figures for groups like the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). One of the key reasons cited is the variation in caste categorisation across states — castes classified as OBC in one state may fall under the general category in another.
As per the protocol, every individual will be required to mention their caste along with their religion. This will apply to all communities, including Muslims, Christians, and others.
However, officials admitted there will be no verification mechanism to check the accuracy of self-declared caste data. Government benefits tied to caste, such as reservation, will continue to be granted only on the basis of officially issued caste certificates.
The enumeration will strictly be a caste count and not a socio-economic or class-based assessment. This implies that while the names of castes will be recorded, no effort will be made to classify them into reserved or non-reserved categories under the census process, sources added.
They further clarified that the census will have no bearing on the delimitation exercise scheduled for 2026, which is likely to be based on the 2011 census. Also, the 50 per cent reservation cap, currently under judicial scrutiny, will remain a matter for the Supreme Court to decide, with no role for the government in this context.
The 2027 census will be conducted digitally and is expected to take only three years, a significant reduction from the usual five-year process. It will be carried out in two phases, with March 1, 2027, as the reference date for most parts of the country. In snow-bound and non-synchronous regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the reference date will be October 1, 2026.
The move to include caste enumeration followed years of demand from political parties and state governments for data that could guide welfare policies and social justice initiatives. The last such comprehensive population census took place in 2011.
Top Stories Law Schools Corner Law Firms Supreme Court High Court News Updates Articles Law Schools Law Firms Videos Know The Law Digests More Contact Us Advertise With Us Careers Who We Are Home/High Courts/Punjab and Haryana High Court/Exclude Creamy Layer Before... Exclude Creamy Layer Before Granting Reservation In Promotion To SC/ST Candidates: High Court Tells Haryana Govt Aiman J. Chishti 5 June 2025 7:41 PM Share this Listen to this Article The Punjab & Haryana High Court while upholding the Haryana Government's instruction to grant reservation to Scheduled Caste candidates in promotion in Group 'A' & 'B' posts in State Government Services directed to exclude "creamy layer." Justice Jagmohan Bansal said, "this Court finds that respondent has duly complied with attributes of Article 16(4A) of the Constitution of India as well as law laid down by the Apex Court, thus, impugned instructions dated 07.10.2023 (Annexure P-2) are valid and hereby upheld. Nevertheless, the respondent shall exclude employees belonging to creamy layer before implementing impugned instructions." Also Read - State Has No Authority To Withhold Retiral Benefit Dues On Account Of Pending FIR When Challan Was Filed In 2005: Punjab & Haryana High Court A batch of petitions was filed challenging the instruction of Haryana Government to grant reservation to Scheduled Castes in promotion in Group 'A' & 'B' posts, on multiple grounds including that the power to provide for reservation is with the State Government and the same cannot be delegated to the Departmental Promotion Committee. It was also argued that it is necessary to exclude the creamy layer of the employees belonging to Scheduled Castes before providing for reservation in the aforesaid promotional posts. Also Read - Pre-Arrest Bail In Corruption Cases Can Be Granted Only When FIR Was Filed On Political Vendetta Or Prima Facie False Implication: P&H High Court While analysing the submissions in detail, the Court noted that from the record produced during course of hearing and reports of Committees, the State before issuing impugned instructions had collected quantifiable data and found that there is inadequate representation of SC in the promotional posts i.e. Group A & B though there is sufficient representation in Group C & D. "There was reservation to the extent of 20% in Group A & B posts for direct recruitment. As number of posts filled through promotion were more than direct recruitment and recruitment through direct mode was not made annually, thus, total representation of the SC was inadequate. The State by collecting quantifiable data has duly complied with requirement of Article 16(4A) of the Constitution of India as well as mandate of the Constitution Bench judgments," it added. Also Read - P&H High Court 'Deplores' Centre For Not Following SC Rulings On Ex-Servicemen Which Have Attained Finality, Burdening AFT With Cases Relying on landmark decision of the Jarnail Singh and others Vs Lachhmi Narain Gupta and Ors. [2022 (10) SCC 595] (II), Court found that "State was required to collect data cadre wise. As noted hereinabove, the State has collected data cadre wise as well as group wise." Furthermore, the bench noted that the Departmental Committees have been asked to implement decision of the Government while making promotion. The role of Committee is confined to implementation of reservation policy of the State, thus, there is no delegation of power to subordinate authorities. It is State which has exercised its power in terms of Article 16(4A) of the Constitution of India. Also Read - Punjab & Haryana High Court Acquits Men In Rape Case 20 Yrs After Conviction Upon Finding Inconsistencies In Prosecution Case While considering that Article 335 requires that while considering claim of SC/ST, State shall take into account question of efficiency of administration, the Court noted that the respondent has not provided for out of turn promotion ignoring quality and efficiency of the officers to be promoted e.g. in case of promotion to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police. Justice Bansal highlighted that in the instructions, word “eligible” would mean that the Inspector whether belonging to the Scheduled Caste or not, has to comply with the provisions of Rules and the said aspects have been taken into consideration by the State before providing for reservation to meet the requirements of Article 335 of the Constitution of India. "If a person is not eligible for promotion, he is not going to be promoted or would be demoted if does not comply with conditions prescribed for promotion. In such circumstances, it cannot be held that State has not considered or complied with requirement of efficiency of administration in terms of Article 335 while issuing impugned instructions," added the Court. However, relying on M. Nagaraj and others v. Union of India and
The importance of Ambedkar’s constitutionalism
The government has been celebrating the 75 years journey of India – calling it Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – as a central focus on various occasions.
Fighting British colonialism to become an independent nation is one part of the job, and becoming free in a society is another. Both correspond to each other, according to several mainstream nationalist leaders. Getting external freedom is important, but not enough to be a free society. Hence, India’s freedom was incomplete without the Constitution. The battle against British colonialism provided a platform to become a nation. The idea of freedom and nation is intertwined in freedom, realised after the adoption of the Constitution of India.
Against this backdrop, how can one read freedom in the spirit of Ambedkar’s transformative constitutionalism? For decades, Indian politics has been centred around the Constitution in which Ambedkar is symbolised as an iconic figure. His constitutional identity is used for several purposes but not his transformative constitutionalism. Ambedkar’s articulation of the spirit of freedom in transformative constitutionalism needs to be comprehended through how citizens are free to exercise their freedom, and if a citizen is free from the social impediments of caste, gender, patriarchy and faith. What is the status of India’s freedom in the 76 years in a Constitutional Republic? An Ambedkarite interpretation always offers a perspective of self-introspection of a democratic practice. In a constitutional democracy, the idea of freedom is an uncompromised right and of incommensurable value.
Repeated Ambedkar statue vandalism raises tensions in Punjab’s Nangal village
The repeated vandalism and defacement of Ambedkar statues in the predominantly Dalit village of Nangal in Phillaur has left residents deeply unsettled. With countless Ambedkar statues across Jalandhar and the Doaba region, villagers are now asking: “Why is Nangal being targeted again and again?”
The village, which is nearly 80% Dalit, has seen two attacks on its statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in recent months—first on March 31, and then again on June 2. The repeated targeting has caused tension and outrage, especially given the village’s long-standing reverence for Ambedkar and his ideology.
“There are Ambedkar statues from Nakodar to here. Why come all the way to vandalise ours?” asked Khushi Ram, a village panch. “It feels like someone is trying to provoke us delibererately.
Nangal holds a historical connection to Dr Ambedkar, who once visited the region and inspired many followers. Local religious institutions such as the Dera Baba Brahm Das in Phillaur also play a role in sustaining his legacy. According to village lore, the seer met Ambedkar in 1951 and urged him to uplift Dalit women through education.
After the first attack, the village had responded with solidarity and defiance. A new 7-foot-tall statue was commissioned from Lucknow for Rs 1.2 lakh and unveiled on Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14). The community had also begun upgrading the memorial site with marble and granite. However, during this ongoing beautification, the second attack occurred—before the protective glass casing could be installed.
Khushi Ram, panch of the village sarpanch, said they had installed CCTV cameras after the March incident. “The fact that the new statue was targeted again—despite the precautions—suggests intent to provoke Dalits and Sikhs.”
Nangal’s population is not only largely Dalit, but also politically conscious and cohesive. Historically pro-Congress, the area shifted towards the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) under Kanshi Ram and continues to uphold Ambedkarite values. “Ambedkar transformed villages here—he gave us light through education and rights,” said resident Gian Chand. “The statue represents that legacy.”
Residents now fear a pattern of targeted attacks intended to sow discord. “Dalits and Sikhs have lived peacefully here for generations,” said Karnail Phillaur, a local resident. “These defacements seem designed to disrupt that harmony. But we are united and alert.”
As of now, villagers continue a dharna (sit-in protest) and have demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. “We won’t move until there is action,” said Khushi Ram. For Nangal, this is not just about a damaged statue—it is about protecting a symbol of resistance, equality and identity.
The Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) held a strong protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on June 4, 2025, against the attacks on the Constitution, social justice and the legacy of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. The protesters strongly condemned the attempt to remove the statue of Dr. Ambedkar from the Gwalior High Court premises and warned against all attempts to weaken the Constitution. A Newsclick report.
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