Ranchi, September 14, 2026: The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee will take out a Raj Bhavan march on September 16 demanding a separate column for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the caste census.
Senior Congress leaders, ministers, MLAs, party office-bearers and a large number of workers are expected to participate in the march. After reaching Raj Bhavan, a Congress delegation will submit a memorandum to the Governor, urging the Centre to ensure that the actual OBC population is recorded through a separate column in the caste census.
Congress links demand to social justice
Jharkhand Congress president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh said the caste census should not be viewed merely as an exercise in collecting statistics but as an important mechanism for promoting social justice, equal opportunities and fair distribution of resources.
He argued that a substantial section of the country’s population belongs to the OBC community and said accurate information about its social and economic conditions would be important for policy decisions concerning representation and welfare.
Kamlesh questioned the Centre’s position on maintaining a separate OBC column and asked why the BJP would oppose recording the community’s population separately if it supports social justice and the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
Congress seeks data-based policy decisions
The Congress state president said the demand was, in the party’s view, consistent with the spirit of the Constitution.
He cited the principle of “proportionate population, proportionate participation” while arguing that accurate demographic data would help governments design policies relating to reservation, education, employment, economic programmes and welfare schemes.
According to Kamlesh, the absence of precise data makes it more difficult to assess whether benefits are reaching intended sections effectively.
Party vows to continue campaign
Kamlesh said the Centre should respond to the OBC community through accurate data and concrete measures rather than political slogans.
He said the Congress would continue its campaign for social justice through both legislative and public platforms.
The September 16 Raj Bhavan march, he said, would convey the party’s position that questions concerning the social, economic and political representation of OBCs should not be overlooked because of a lack of comprehensive data.
The Congress said its campaign for a separate OBC column in the caste census would continue until a concrete decision is taken on the demand.
