Odisha All For Caste Census, Says CM Naveen Patnaik

Naveen Patnaik speaks to the media in New Delhi on Sunday (Pic Credit: ANI)

New Delhi: Even as a debate is raging over a proposed national caste census, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said the Odisha government supported OBC reservation.

“Our government stands by it, we are fighting for it,” the CM told the media in Delhi.

“We are examining the whole matter thoroughly and will come up with a solution very soon. We will do whatever is sensible for our people,” he said when asked about his government’s stand on the proposed caste census.

Naveen said this after attending a meeting of chief ministers of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected states in the national capital. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had convened the review meeting.

Notably, supporters of the caste census argue that it will help in deriving “quantifiable data” on reservation as well as justify caste-based affirmative action programmes.

On the other hand, opponents said such a census is abhorrent when the stated policy is to strive for a casteless society.

Also Read: Odisha CM Submits Five Proposals For Economic Growth Of LWE Regions