• Source:PTI
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Bihar Caste Census: Without naming it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress on Monday, saying the opposition party has divided the nation along caste lines for six decades -- a "sin" which it is committing now as well. The remark from PM Modi came hours after the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar released findings of its caste survey months ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The much-waited caste survey, released by the Bihar government, mentioned that OBCs and EBCs make up a whopping 63 per cent of the overall population in the state. The Extremely Backward Classes (36 per cent) were the largest socioeconomic sector in the state, followed by the Other Backward Classes (27.13 per cent), according to figures given by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh. The total population of the state was a little over 13.07 crore.

ALSO READ: Bihar Caste Census: CM Nitish Kumar Calls All-Party Meeting Tomorrow To Discuss Report

Earlier, the Congress, a member of the ruling coalition in Bihar, has pledged to conduct a caste-based census across the nation if elected to power at the Centre. Two days ago, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur district said if his party came to power at the Centre, it would conduct a caste-based census to benefit all sections of society, particularly OBCs in the country.

MP: PM Modi receives a warm welcome as he arrives to lay the foundation stone and dedicates to the nation various development projects worth around Rs 19,260 crore. (Image credits: ANI)

"Enemies of development got 6 decades which means 60 years (to rule at Centre). They failed to deliver the goods. But in nine years (of BJP rule at Centre) enormous development has taken place... and the world is singing the praises of India. When so much work can take place in just nine years, why the same could not take place in all those years?" Modi asked, without naming the Congress, PTI reported.

PM Modi made a remark during his address in Gwalior in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh after laying foundation stones and inaugurating development projects worth more than Rs 19,000 crore. "These projects of more than Rs 19,000 crore in one day were the result of double-engine government (a reference to BJP in power in the state and also at Centre)," he added.

"They played with the emotions of the poor and divided society on caste lines. They are committing this sin even now," asserted Modi, hitting out at the opposition.

After releasing the caste census, CM Nitish called for an all-party meeting on Tuesday and said that the government will take all the necessary steps after taking everyone's suggestions in the meeting. Meanwhile, the JD(U) leader criticised the PM Modi-led Central government for failing to "conduct even a normal census, which should have taken place in 2021 itself".

(With Inputs From Agencies)