Congress trying to use caste census for political benefits; says former Himachal CM Jairam Thakur

New Delhi [India], October 15 (ANI): Amid the political tussle over the caste-based census, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur on Sunday slammed Congress and accused the grand old party of using the census as a means to reap political benefits.
With the clamour for caste census intensifying, the BJP leader said that as soon as the elections are close at hand, Congress will try to find issues that would give them political gains and that it could cause a major division in the society.
"When the elections are approaching, Congress tries to find issues which will give them political benefits. This is a similar agenda and nothing else. I believe that the way they are trying to raise this issue, they are thinking only from a political point of view for their own benefit. This will cause a very big division in society. It is very unfortunate for society and the country," the BJP leader told ANI.
Earlier on Thursday, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said that the caste census is also a part of dividing society.
The Governor said that Ram Manohar Lohia's dictum 'dam bandho (fix prices), jati todo (break caste)' was needed in contemporary times.
Shiv Pratap Shukla said, "I think that Ram Manohar Lohia ji, was a socialist thinker who practised democracy on the basis of- dam bandho (fix prices), jati todo (break caste)."
"Democracy can never be strengthened by dividing the society. I believe that society as a whole can progress by unity and social harmony. Ram Manohar Lohia's dictum 'dam bandho (fix prices), jati todo (break caste)' is needed in contemporary times," He added.
Shiv Pratap Shukla said that for India to progress and realise the dream of Amrit Kaal it was important for society to be united.
"India's GDP is increasing. Today in this Amrit Kaal of Indian democracy, the whole world is looking towards India and some people living in India are working to break India, hence I think that India should be united," the Governor said.
The Himachal Governor said that in ancient Indian society, everyone lived in harmony and unity.
"I feel that many times there has been talk of breaking Hindutva and the Caste census is one such attempt." the Governor said. (ANI)