Caste census: RJD, SP members walk out of LS

A demand for starting caste-based census was made in the Lok Sabha on Monday with Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal members walking out to protest the 'lack of response' from the government on the issue.

The issue was raised during Zero Hour by SP member Shailendra Kumar, who said the ongoing process of carrying out census across the country should be stopped forthwith and caste-based census should be launched.

"The government should make it clear whether it wants caste-based census or not. A majority in the House has already favoured caste-based census," he claimed, adding that no caste-based census has taken place in India since 1931 when the first such exercise was carried out.

RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh wanted a response from the government on the matter.

As there was no response from the Treasury benches, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav led his party members to walk out. They were soon joined by RJD members.