Janhit Abhiyan, an umbrella group of professors, writers, filmmakers, journalists and social justice proponents, has, in a statement, denounced the campaign against caste-based census by “a section of intellectuals and media,” and said this amounted to undermining the consensus arrived at in Parliament.
The statement was signed among others by Prof. Tulsiram and Prof. Chamanlal of the Jawaharlal Nehru University; writers Surendra Mohan, Sheeba Aslam Fahmi , Umrao Singh Jatav and Anil Chamadia; filmmakers Uday Prakash and Anand Swaroop Varma; Editor of Channel One Yousuf Ansari, human rights activist Gladson Dungdung, Dalit rights activist John Dayal and BAMCEF president Vaman Meshram.
The objective of those opposing the caste census was to “divert the consensus.” “They are trying to establish that something horrible is going to happen in this great country,” the signatories said, adding, “this is nothing but an attempt to create a high degree of confusion…to downplay the voice of the Lok Sabha is not good for democracy.”