'Serious doubts on intent': Congress attacks Centre over caste census format

Census 2027: Centre notifies 40 questions; caste enumeration to take place 1st time since IndependenceNEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday questioned the Centre's approach to caste enumeration in the upcoming Census, saying the decision not to provide a pre-prepared list of castes for respondents to choose from raised “serious doubts on intent”. The party also alleged that political parties had not been consulted on the questionnaire.Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said it was widely expected that the caste question would include a state-wise list, similar to the caste surveys conducted in Bihar and Telangana, with respondents required to tick the appropriate option.“This has, unfortunately, not happened, raising serious doubts on intent,” Ramesh said in a po