Bhubaneswar, April 16: Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav renewed his pitch for a nationwide caste census during a two-day visit to Odisha.
Accompanied by his wife and party MP Dimple Yadav, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister arrived in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday and met senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Srikant Jena.
The two leaders held discussions on key issues, notably the need for a caste-based census, the safeguarding of democratic values, and the broader agenda of social justice.
Speaking to the media, Yadav reiterated his party’s long-standing demand for caste enumeration and welcomed Congress’s support on the issue.
“Even the Congress now recognises the need for a caste census. Our stand is clear—we must stand by the oppressed and protect the Constitution,” he said.
Yadav emphasized that social justice is the cornerstone of true constitutional equality. “To ensure the rule of law, we need the rule of social justice. That is the true spirit of our Constitution,” he stated.
In a veiled dig at the BJP, Yadav warned against symbolic gestures that contradict actions on the ground. “Those who’ve done the most damage to the Constitution are now the loudest in celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti,” he said.
Drawing attention to Odisha, he pointed out that backward communities in the state continue to suffer from inequities in education and employment. “Their rights have been denied for too long. We aim to connect with them, raise awareness, and bring them into the mainstream,” he added.
Yadav also held meetings with leaders from other INDIA bloc constituents, including the CPI, CPM, NCP, and RJD, to strengthen opposition unity in the state.
He is scheduled to visit the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Thursday to offer prayers.
