Caste enumeration is to bring marginalised people to mainstream: Modi

New Delhi: Defending the decision to hold caste enumeration during the next census, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said this is a step towards his government’s model to bring the marginalised and those left behind in every field into the mainstream of development, sources said.

Addressing a conclave of NDA Chief Ministers, Modi said the success of Operation Sindoor was also a reaffirmation of the achievements the country has made in its push towards self-reliance, underscoring the accuracy and precision of indigenous defence technology.

A day-long conclave of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was chaired by the PM and attended by around 20 Chief Ministers and 18 Deputy Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states. BJP national president JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were also present.

The PM made it clear to the NDA leaders in a key meeting that the India–Pakistan ceasefire was agreed to bilaterally without the involvement of any third party, sources said.

Modi’s remarks were in apparent reference to US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that it was his administration that brokered the end of military confrontation between the two neighbours.

In the meeting, two key resolutions were passed — one on Operation Sindoor and another on the caste census.

Briefing reporters, BJP president J P Nadda said the ruling National Democratic Alliance does not believe in caste politics but caste enumeration will help those left behind in different fields to develop.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefed the leaders on the Centre’s strategy against Left-wing extremism. “He guided us and informed all the Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers about how we have used our strength to defeat it,” Nadda added.

The resolution on Operation Sindoor was proposed by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and seconded by Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.

Shinde said, "Everyone thanked and congratulated our armed forces and Prime Minister Modi for the success of Operation Sindoor.”

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini proposed the resolution on the caste enumeration and was supported by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Nadda said.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya reiterated that the caste census aligns with the BJP’s constitutional commitments.

In the meeting, the PM expressed concern over unnecessary statements recently made by some of the leaders and urged them to be more careful regarding passing statements and avoid making unnecessary remarks.

Modi’s advisory came in the wake of controversial remarks made by BJP leaders since last month’s Pahalgam terror attack, including Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda.

The first anniversary of the Modi government in its third term and good governance issues were also discussed during the meeting. Deliberations were also made on best practices by different NDA state governments. The meeting also paid tributes to the people killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.