Ponnam Seeks OBC Column in 2027 Census

Metro India News | Hyderabad : State BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday called for a nationwide caste census with a separate OBC column in the 2027 Census, saying scientific enumeration of the OBC population was essential for ensuring fair representation based on demographic strength.

Addressing a national OBC conference at Hotel Tourism Plaza in Begumpet on “Central Government Policy Decisions on the OBC Census – Immediate Responsibilities and Future Action Plan for OBCs,” Prabhakar said accurate empirical data was necessary to determine reservations and political representation for Backward Classes (BCs). AICC Secretary Sachin Sawant, state Government Advisor V. Hanumantha Rao, national OBC association leaders, intellectuals and representatives from several states attended the conference.

Prabhakar recalled his earlier efforts in Parliament to raise BC issues through the OBC Forum and said Telangana was now moving forward unitedly on BC issues by bringing together leaders from the Congress and other parties.

He said the Telangana government had initiated a caste census soon after assuming power, in line with the Congress promise. The questionnaire was prepared after consultations with experts, intellectuals and stakeholders, while information was collected through a door-to-door survey based on self-declarations. One government employee was assigned for every 150 households. Following Cabinet discussions and a resolution in the Legislative Assembly, constitutional procedures were completed and the caste census report was submitted to the Centre with the Governor’s approval, he said. “How can we determine the appropriate share for the BCs without knowing their actual population?” Prabhakar asked, asserting that the caste census was not merely a statistical exercise but a foundation for social justice.

He said the government was not opposed to EWS reservations but maintained that the 50% reservation cap should not obstruct justice for BCs based on their population. Reservation decisions, he said, should be guided by comprehensive data on the population and the social, educational and economic conditions of BCs.

Prabhakar urged BC leaders from all states to speak in one voice, stressing that the issue concerned the rights of BCs nationwide and was not limited to any political party.

He said Telangana had shown the way by completing its caste census and urged the Centre to conduct a nationwide enumeration, include an OBC column in the 2027 Census and ensure representation proportionate to the BC population.