Patna : RJD president Lalu Prasad today said the demand for caste census figures was a “jehad” and the party was ready for a long battle over this for the sake of the deprived sections of society. “The demand for caste census figures is jehad for us. The BJP is trying to suppress it for its own benefit. But our party will not let this happen. We are ready to battle for it for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden,” Prasad said.
After a meeting with senior leaders from all over the state, the RJD chief said he will lead a march to Raj Bhawan tomorrow to press for quick release of caste census data.
This will be followed up by a fast by him on July 26 and a Bihar bandh on July 27, he said. “Our workers and supporters have been instructed not to disturb trains, health services and school children during the bandh,” he added.
The last caste census held in 1931 had become obsolete and the proportion of SC and ST has changed, Prasad said and demanded that reservation in jobs and educational institutions be provided as per the new figures. Parliament, High Courts or the Supreme Court cannot stop reservation to SC and ST in proportion to their population as it is in the Constitution, the RJD chief said.
