Deshmukh Demands Separate OBC Column in National Census The Other Backward Classes (OBC) in India, a significant demographic group, have been historically marginalized in terms of rights and entitlements, according to Anil Deshmukh, the former Maharashtra home minister and NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA. Deshmukh called for a separate column in the national census to accurately enumerate OBC populations, emphasizing the need for this change to address systemic neglect. His remarks came amid a growing boycott of the census exercise by OBC communities across Maharashtra, where villagers have reportedly turned away census officials due to the absence of such a category. Deshmukh criticized the administrative approach of census officials, accusing them of using coercion to enforce participation. He argued that the lack of a dedicated OBC column has led to resistance from communities who feel their representation is being overlooked. The former MLA urged the central and state governments to amend census forms before the situation escalates, warning that the current tactics could undermine democratic principles. The boycott has sparked tensions in several villages, with some locals refusing to cooperate with census teams. Deshmukh highlighted that the OBC community’s stance is justified, as the absence of a separate column has perpetuated their exclusion from data-driven policies. He also condemned what he described as "high-handedness" by officials, who he claimed have resorted to mediation as a pretext for pressure. The issue has broader implications for India’s socio-economic planning, as accurate census data is crucial for allocating resources and designing welfare programs. Deshmukh’s call for a dedicated OBC column reflects ongoing debates about caste-based representation in governance and policy-making.#maharashtra #other_backward_classes #ncp #anil_deshmukh #national_census
