Caste census in 3 months if Centre fails, says Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said an SP government would conduct a caste census within three months of coming to power if the Centre failed to do so. He said the survey was needed to ensure communities received rights and representation in proportion to their population, India Today reports. Yadav spoke at a convention marking the 196th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Rani Avantibai Lodhi.

Yadav announced plans to declare August 16 a public holiday, hold events on her birth anniversary and install her statue with a golden sword at Lucknow's Gomti Riverfront, according to National Herald. He said the SP's PDA platform, backward classes, Dalits and minorities, would unite all sections. He also claimed the BJP's defeat in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections was certain.

Yadav targeted the BJP over student protests in Delhi against alleged paper leaks, saying Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was removed to protect the Prime Minister. He also accused the BJP of looting donations at the Ram Temple. Both sources report no immediate response from the BJP.