Reaction to casted base census

Initiative launched against caste-based census
15 May 2010, 2320 hrs IST,PTI

NEW DELHI: A group of prominent people on Saturday launched an initiative against caste-based census and urged people to mention "Hindustani" (Indian) as their caste.

Naming the movement "Meri Jaati Hindustani" (My Caste is Indian), the group also decided to set up a committee to make their initiative into a mass movement.

Amid demands for caste-based census from a section of political parties, this was the consensus arrived at a symposium on caste-based census attended by prominent people including former Union minister for Civil Aviation Arif Mohammad Khan.

The movement is aimed at motivating people to write "Indian" as their caste in the census form.

"Even if only four to five crore people write their caste as Indian or whatever they call it in their mother tongue, this will be a huge success and will help more and more citizens to follow the suit," Khan said.

He said that the number of people believing their caste as "Indian" are not less but they are "unorganised" and not "instituted". "The movement is bring in those people to motivate others."

The demand for a caste-based census is a conspiracy to divide the country, alleged those participating in the symposium adding they do not oppose if someone mentions his or her caste.

Senior journalist Ved Pratap Vaidik said people need a "new caste -- Indian". "It is caste not by birth but by choice," he said.

He said the proposed committee will formulate its modem and plans to further the cause in a week's time, but insisted on the use of modern techniques like SMSes and emails to popularise the movement.

"I request everyone to sign their emails and messages by writing Indian with their name," Vaidik said, citing example from Barack Obama's successful US Presidential election campaign.

Former Secretary MEA JC Sharma said the goal of Indian Constitution is "to create a casteless and classless society," but the caste census is "disgrace for Ambedkar's dream."

He also said that politicians only know the "language of vote-bank" but if crores of people join the campaign they will be forced to rethink over their decision

I hope reaction to the politicians decision to divide the people of India will make them realize their folly.