Lucknow, January 22: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday asked the government to release data collected during the caste census. In 2011, a caste-based census was conducted under the Congress-led UPA-2 government, however, its data has not been released yet. Addressing a press conference, Akhilesh Yadav also said that the Citizenship Amendment Act "is not in the best interest of people". Akhilesh Yadav Hits out at Amit Shah over Citizenship Act.

"The numbers of the caste census, which has been conducted, should be released. Why is the government withholding them? The day when the numbers of the caste census will come out, the brawl between Hindu and Muslims will end," Akhilesh Yadav said. Referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party's charge that anti-CAA protesters are being paid, the SP leader people were turning up on their own. Akhilesh Yadav Threatens to Boycott NPR, Says 'If Need Arises, I Will Not Fill Any Form'.

"It is the BJP who gives money and asks people to come in their support. Women and youth who are protesting against this law are doing it on their own. This law (CAA) is not in the best interest of the masses and people do not accept it," he said. On Tuesday, Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of using "divide and rule policy" and demanded that a caste-based census should be conducted in the country.

"NRC was implemented in Assam, but what happened? There were more Hindus in the list than Muslims. The government wants us now to stand in line with our documents to prove nationality. The Congress didn't allow the caste-based census to happen in the country. If it happens, there will not be any rift between Hindus and Muslims. This government believes in the divide and rule policy," he had said.

Akhilesh Yadav's father and SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on multiple occasions demanded that findings of the caste census should be made public.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 22, 2020 03:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).