Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hailed the Centre’s decision to conduct a caste census alongside the regular census as a significant victory for the DMK and the INDIA bloc in their ongoing struggle for social justice. He framed the announcement as a direct outcome of their persistent efforts. However, this claim appears to be contradicted by an official response in the Rajya Sabha, where the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment stated that the Tamil Nadu government had not made any formal request or representation to the Centre regarding the conduct of a caste survey.
On 30 April 2025, CM Stalin, through his official account on X, expressed skepticism about the Union Government’s timing, suggesting it was politically motivated. “After the failure of all its attempts to deny and delay the much-needed caste enumeration, the Union BJP Government has finally announced that it will be conducted along with the forthcoming Census. But key questions remain unanswered —when will the Census begin? When will it conclude? The timing is no coincidence. With #SocialJustice dominating the #BiharElections narrative, this sudden move reeks of political expediency.” he posted.
Stalin criticized the Prime Minister’s previous stance, recalling how he had once condemned opposition parties for “dividing people on caste” but had now conceded to the very demand he had opposed. “The same Prime Minister who once accused opposition parties of dividing people on caste has now yielded to the very demand, he maligned repeatedly. Caste Census is essential—not optional—for objective policymaking, targeted welfare, and the pursuit of real social justice. You cannot remedy injustice without first recognising its scale. For the Tamil Nadu Government and DMK, this is a hard-earned victory. We were the first to adopt a resolution in the Legislative Assembly demanding #CasteCensus. We championed this cause in every forum. We reiterated this demand in every meeting with the Prime Minister and through multiple letters, consistently urging the Union Government to take responsibility. While others called for state-level caste surveys, we stood firm: Census is a Union subject. Only the Union Government can and should deliver a legally binding caste enumeration under the Census Act. Our stand is now vindicated. Another triumph for DMK and #INDIA Bloc in our arduous social justice journey, driven by the ideals of the #DravidianModel,” he wrote.
After the failure of all its attempts to deny and delay the much-needed caste enumeration, the Union BJP Government has finally announced that it will be conducted along with the forthcoming Census. But key questions remain unanswered —when will the Census begin? When will it…
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) April 30, 2025
However, this narrative is challenged by an official reply in Parliament. On 19 March 2025, in response to an unstarred question (No. 2200) raised by PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment clarified that it had not received any communication from the Tamil Nadu government regarding the conduct of a caste survey under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, responded:
(a) & (b) The Department has not received any information from the Tamil Nadu government about plans to conduct a caste survey.
(c) & (d) Therefore, the question of representations does not arise.
Earlier, on 26 June 2024, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution urging the Central Government to conduct a caste census alongside the general census. Although Tamil Nadu had the legal authority to carry out a caste survey independently—just as states like Karnataka and Bihar have done—the DMK-led government argued that census activities fall under the Union List, and therefore only the Centre should conduct such an enumeration. Despite having the means, the state chose not to proceed on its own and instead limited its action to passing a resolution.
Now, with the Centre announcing its intention to conduct a caste census, the DMK is portraying the move as a victory, despite having taken no substantial steps beyond symbolic resolutions. This contrast—between public declarations and actual engagement—has reignited debate over Tamil Nadu’s genuine efforts and commitment to pushing for a caste census at the national level.
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