BJP, RJD clash in LS on census issue

Discussion on caste-based census in the Lok Sabha got derailed today with BJP raising the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators, clashing with RJD chief Lalu Prasad who wanted the issue of backwards to take precedence.

Initiating the debate on Census 2011, Ananth Kumar (BJP) raised the issue illegal migrants from Bangladesh getting registered as Indian citizens. He said the matter was related to "internal disturbance and external aggression".

At this, RJD chief Lalu Prasad charged Kumar with propagating BJP's agenda by "repeatedly talking of Pakistan and Bangladesh and ignoring the issue of backwards in the census exercise."

An agitated Kumar then said he would raise the issue suggested by Prasad but would first take up the issue related to national security.

BJP favours caste data in Census

BJP today said it favoured collecting caste data in the on-going Census as correct figures were not available, handicapping the Supreme Court, Mandal Commission and other institutions while dealing with the issue.

"The last Census in which caste was included was in 1931. Since then Partition of the country has taken place when several people went to Pakistan or came to India. As such we are totally unaware of the correct caste data," Deputy Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha S S Ahluwalia told while supporting inclusion of caste in the Census.

The Union Cabinet discussed the issue yesterday but failed to reach a consensus. However, sources said most members favoured inclusion of caste in Census.