Caught in a row, RSS clarifies that it is not against a caste census

Days after one of its senior functionaries opposed a caste census, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday said that any such census should be used for the upliftment of society, emphasising that political parties must ensure that social harmony is not disrupted due to any reason.

The statement, being seen as a damage control attempt, came after Shridhar Gadge, Sah Sanghachalak of Vidarbha region, questioned the need for a caste census. He said that while it may benefit some people politically, it was not good for national unity.

“We feel that there should be no caste-based census, because there is no reason to do it. What will we achieve by doing the caste-based census? It is wrong,” said Mr. Gadge.