OBC associations call for protest at Ramlila Maidan demanding reduction of all castes in 2027 census

Image is for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: ANI

The All India Caste Census Coordinating Committee on Thursday (November 12, 2026) called a nationwide protest at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 28, demanding that the Union government review its methodology for the 2027 census to ensure a comprehensive and accurate caste census.

Also read | Caste Census: Methodology, Challenges and the Road Ahead | Explained

A coalition of various OBC associations across the country and other civil society groups have called on the Union government to ensure that the drop-down menu is introduced at the population enumeration stage of the ongoing census and that all castes (SC, ST, OBC and General) are assigned unique codes.

While finalizing the questionnaire for this phase of the 2027 census, the Center has decided to list caste through an open column for all except SCs and STs. This is the same method used in the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), which yielded more than 46,000 caste names and whose results were discarded by this government due to inaccuracies.

For proportional representation

Leaders of various OBC organizations and associations called for a protest in New Delhi on Thursday, saying a drop-down menu that includes all castes is necessary “so that accurate social, educational and economic data can be collected” “for social justice and proportional representation”.

Activist and political organizer Yogendra Yadav, who represented the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan as the national convener, said, “A caste census is essential to understand inequalities and ensure social justice. Every community must be properly enumerated.” This sentiment was also echoed by G. Kiran Kumar, national president of All India OBC Students Association, who added, “Census 2027 is a historic opportunity to ensure social justice. We demand unique codes for all castes, separate drop-down option for OBCs and removal of 50% cap on reservations. I urge students and OBCs to join the youth protest across the country.”

Further, DMK Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson said, “The government must prepare a standardized caste directory and provide unique codes for each OBC community to ensure accurate enumeration.”

Former Telangana government minister and national convener of the All India Forum of OBC People’s Representatives V. Srinivas Goud said such a method was necessary for OBCs to get their due share in education, jobs and political representation.

Published – 12 Nov 2026 21:33 IST