New Delhi: At a time when Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Maharashtra are up in arms against the Eknath Shinde-led state government over its decision to grant OBC certificates to Marathas, Shiv Sena MP, Prataprao Jadhav, called for a nationwide caste census speaking in parliament on Tuesday, February 7.“Following the movement for the Maratha reservation, around 57 lakh people are being given Kunbi certificates. There has been a demand for a caste census in parliament too. If a caste census is done along with the general census in 2026-27, reservations for OBCs can be increased in states where their population is found to be higher. Similarly, quota can be reduced wherever it is found that their population has decreased,” Buldhana MP said, according to The Indian Express.Jadhav’s statement assumes significance for two reasons: One, it is a major poll plank of the Opposition bloc, the INDIA alliance; two, the Shinde government is still non-commital on commissioning such a survey at least in Maharashtra. On the other hand, Jadhav’s statement is also being perceived as an attempt by the Shinde government to placate OBCs in the state who are angered by the decision to give in to demands of Manoj Jarange Patil, by promising him to grant OBC certificates to Marathas.“In Maharashtra, Kolis, Dhangars, and Lingayats, among others, have been agitating for reservation. I request the government that a census of these communities be conducted and appropriate reservation is granted to them. The Centre must give proper instructions to the state governments,” Jadhav said in the parliament, while speaking on a Bill that assures reservations to OBCs in Jammu and Kashmir.Jahadv’s statement calling for a nationwide caste census is a first by a Sena MP although several OBC leaders of the Shinde government have been vocal in their criticism over accepting the demands of Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange Patil. Last month, the Shinde government issued a draft notification stating that Kunbi (OBC) certificates would be given to Marathas, after Patil went on an indefinite hunger strike. The OBCs in the state, including its leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal, a senior minister in the Shinde Cabinet, opposed the move, fearing that it would eat into their share of the reservation pie.While supporting the idea of the nationwide caste census, Jadhav, however, criticised Rahul Gandhi and his Congress party who are one of the earliest proponents of the nationwide caste census this time around. According to Jadhav, the Congress is floating the idea only to keep the poor and backward as they are. “They opposed the Mandal Commission report tooth and nail. It is under the Narendra Modi government that OBCs will get reservation in Jammu and Kashmir after 75 years,” he said speaking in the parliament.Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party MP Supriya Sule, accused the government of doing nothing despite demands for reservation from many communities in Maharashtra. “Can they please specify what is their stand on SC/ST and OBC reservations? They should bring a nationwide policy on reservations. They have a triple-engine government in Maharashtra but no elections are happening in local bodies in the state,” she said.