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Congress says PM Modi made complete U-turn on caste census

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Bihar Diwas 2025, PM Modi Bihar Message, Amit Shah Bihar Day, Nitish Kumar Bihar Diwas, Bihar Day Wishes, Bihar Development, Bihar Heritage

On Sunday, the Congress party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of executing a “desperate and abrupt reversal” on the issue of a caste census, demanding transparency about the government’s policy shift and a clear timeline for its implementation.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, highlighted what he called Modi’s “sudden U-turn” on the caste census, pointing to a history of contradictory statements and actions.

Ramesh cited a television interview on April 28, 2024, where Modi dismissed advocates of a caste census as “urban naxals.” He further referenced a July 20, 2021, statement to Parliament, where the Modi government explicitly declared it would not enumerate caste-wise population data beyond Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the 2021 Census, as a deliberate policy choice.

Additionally, in a September 21, 2021, affidavit to the Supreme Court, the government reiterated this stance, arguing that excluding other caste data was a “conscious policy decision” and urging the court not to mandate a caste census for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), as it would interfere with policy under Section 8 of the Census Act.

Addressing Modi directly, Ramesh posed three pointed questions: Will the Prime Minister admit that his government has reversed its 11-year opposition to a caste census? Will he clarify to Parliament and the public the reasons behind this shift? And will he commit to a specific timeline for conducting the census?

The Congress framed the government’s recent announcement as consistent with a pattern of initially resisting progressive policies, maligning them, and then adopting them under public pressure.

The opposition party also criticized Modi as a “master of generating headlines without deadlines,” labeling the caste census decision a “distraction” amid calls for decisive action against Pakistan following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people.

The Centre announced on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, that the upcoming population census will include caste enumeration for the first time since Independence, a move prompted by sustained advocacy from opposition parties, including Congress, who made it a central electoral issue. States like Bihar, Telangana, and Karnataka have already conducted their own caste surveys.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, announcing the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs’ decision, noted that the census is a central government prerogative but criticized state-led caste surveys for lacking transparency, which he said has fueled public skepticism. The Congress, while welcoming the decision, remains wary, urging Modi to provide clarity and accountability to ensure the caste census is conducted promptly and effectively.

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Blasts outside defence establishments in Punjab within 2 hours trigger security alarm

Two explosions near defence-linked locations in Punjab within two hours have triggered alarm and heightened security across the state.

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Two explosion incidents reported within a span of around two hours near key defence-linked locations in Punjab have raised serious security concerns and triggered political reactions.

The first incident took place near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar, where a blast involving a delivery scooter was reported in a populated area. The proximity of the explosion to a sensitive security installation immediately drew the attention of authorities.

Shortly after, another blast was reported near a military-linked area in Amritsar, further heightening concerns over security preparedness in the border state. Police and security agencies responded swiftly, deploying bomb disposal squads and forensic teams at both locations.

Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported in either incident. However, the back-to-back nature of the explosions caused panic in nearby areas and prompted authorities to place the state on high alert.

Political leaders reacted strongly, questioning the handling of security and pointing to possible lapses. They urged authorities to take preventive steps to avoid such incidents in the future.

Punjab, being a strategically important border state, remains sensitive to such developments. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the explosions and whether there are any links between the two incidents.

Security has been tightened around key installations, with agencies assessing whether the blasts were isolated events or part of a broader threat.

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Retired bureaucrats appointed by Mamata Banerjee barred from Bengal offices ahead of BJP government formation

Retired bureaucrats appointed under Mamata Banerjee have been barred from government offices as West Bengal prepares for a BJP-led administration.

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In a significant administrative development following the West Bengal Assembly election results, several retired bureaucrats appointed during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee have reportedly been barred from entering state government offices.

The decision comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in the state after securing a decisive mandate. The move is seen as part of the transition process as the outgoing administration makes way for the incoming regime.

Officials indicated that the restrictions apply specifically to retired personnel who had been given contractual or advisory roles under the previous government. These individuals have now been asked not to access offices or handle official work.

The development follows a broader directive issued by the state administration to ensure that no official documents or records are removed, damaged, or tampered with during the transition period. Authorities have emphasised strict accountability, placing responsibility on departmental heads to safeguard files and maintain proper records.

The political backdrop to this move is the sweeping victory of the BJP in the 2026 West Bengal elections, marking a major shift in the state’s political landscape after years of Trinamool Congress rule.

With the new government expected to take charge soon, administrative reshuffling and tightening of access to government infrastructure are being viewed as measures to ensure a smooth and transparent handover of power.

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Vijay expresses gratitude to Modi, Rahul Gandhi for congratulatory messages after poll victory

Vijay thanked PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi after his party’s strong Tamil Nadu poll performance, promising governance focused on public welfare.

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Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for congratulating him on his party’s strong performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.

Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), acknowledged the wishes shared by both leaders following the party’s impressive electoral debut, which has significantly altered the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.

Responding to the Prime Minister on social media platform X, Vijay said that his party’s focus would remain on public welfare and development. He emphasised that governance should rise above political differences and aim at improving the lives of the people.

“The well-being of our people remains our only goal… we shall focus on the state’s progress and welfare,” he said, while also expressing hope for support from the Union government in achieving these objectives.

The TVK has emerged as a major political force in the state, breaking the long-standing dominance of traditional parties and marking a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics.

According to early developments, the party has staked claim to form the government and may seek additional support if required to prove its majority in the assembly.

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