Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reignited the debate on a caste census, calling it essential to expose "inequality and discrimination" in India. In an interaction with former UGC chairman Sukhdeo Thorat, he emphasized that the fight for social justice, which began with Ambedkar's Mahad Satyagraha in 1927, continues today.

Gandhi linked the caste census to fair distribution of resources in education, administration, and bureaucracy. His remarks sparked a strong rebuttal from the BJP, with leader CR Kesavan accusing the Congress of having a "nepotistic and feudal mindset." He claimed the party has historically opposed merit and sought to suppress leaders from SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds.

With political battle lines drawn, the caste census remains a contentious issue. As the debate intensifies ahead of elections, the question remains: will India embrace a caste-based data-driven approach to policymaking?