– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: AAP on Wednesday accused PM Narendra Modi and the BJP of using the caste census as a “headline management tool” to distract from recent national security failures like the killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam and terrorist infiltration into Indian territory.
At a press conference at AAP headquarters, National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda, with Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj and leader Adil Khan, questioned the timing of BJP’s caste census announcement.
Dhanda said the caste census is a societal need, not a political move, but BJP is using it as an election gimmick to shift focus from serious matters.
He slammed the Union government for not responding adequately to the terror attack, saying people expected strong action against Pakistan or a PoK-related announcement.
Instead, the government diverted the discussion by suddenly raising the caste census issue.
Dhanda said BJP is not serious, noting that despite political consensus, it avoided the caste census until now.
He added there is still no timeline, clarity, or procedure—just a diversionary announcement.
Referring to the Women’s Reservation Bill, Dhanda said BJP often makes big announcements but fails to act.
He pointed out that even after over a year, there’s been no progress on the women’s bill, and people fear the caste census may suffer the same fate.
Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said there was heavy media buzz before the government’s 4 p.m. statement, with even speculation that Pakistan might be targeted.
But instead of addressing national security, the government switched to the caste census topic.
Bharadwaj asked if the government thinks the public is unaware, saying real leadership can’t be based on shifting headlines.
On social media platform X, AAP MP Sanjay Singh condemned the government’s silence on the Pahalgam killings.
Singh said the nation expected PM Modi to act, but he tried to deflect attention by focusing on the caste census.
He emphasized that while AAP supports the census, it must not become a distraction or end up like the stalled women’s reservation issue.
AAP’s attack comes amid rising public anger over the security breach and demands from many parties for a strong response to cross-border terrorism.
