The question of caste enumeration has re-emerged at the forefront of Indian politics and public policy, particularly following the recent caste survey conducted in Bihar and the Union Government’s announcement to include caste-based data in the upcoming national Census. Although caste enumeration was a regular feature until 1931, its exclusion in subsequent decades reflects India’s ambivalence toward caste as both a social reality and a political factor. This article critically analyzes the historical evolution, political context, and policy implications of the caste census, with special emphasis on Bihar’s 2023 caste survey. It argues that a caste census is indispensable for designing evidence-based affirmative action policies, addressing historical injustices, and enhancing the representational legitimacy of democratic governance.
Caste remains an enduring feature of Indian society, shaping access to resources, social mobility, and political representation. Despite constitutional promises of equality, caste-based disparities persist. A critical mechanism for addressing such disparities is the collection of accurate caste-wise data through a national caste census. While the decennial Census of India collects extensive demographic information, it has not officially included caste enumeration for all communities since 1931. Recent political developments, especially in Bihar, have revived this discourse, making the caste census a vital contemporary issue with national implications.
Historical Background of Caste Enumeration in India
Caste was a standard category in Census exercises from 1871 to 1931. The colonial government’s interest lay in understanding the social fabric of Indian society for administrative convenience and political control. The last comprehensive caste census was conducted in 1931, and its data continues to serve as the basis for many reservation policies even today.
Post-Independence, the Indian state opted for a universalist approach, recognizing only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the census, while excluding Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and General Category castes. The rationale was to reduce the salience of caste and foster national unity. However, as caste-based inequalities persisted, this approach has been increasingly challenged.
The Bihar Model and the National Debate
The political climate surrounding the caste census has become especially charged in Bihar. In 2023, the Nitish Kumar-led government, supported by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), conducted a comprehensive caste survey. The survey revealed that OBCs and EBCs together constituted over 63% of the state’s population, reinforcing the demand for increased reservations.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s demand for 65% reservation in state jobs reflects this push for proportional representation. Public demonstrations, including a dharna (sit-in protest) by Yadav and his supporters, underscore the intensity of this political demand. He has consistently accused the BJP and RSS of resisting a caste census to avoid expanding reservation benefits.
In a significant political shift, the Union Cabinet under the BJP-led NDA approved caste enumeration for the upcoming Census. This decision, while possibly aimed at neutralizing the Opposition’s narrative, marks a recognition of the political salience of caste data. JD(U) leaders have portrayed the BJP’s support as a continuation of the social justice legacy in Bihar, emphasizing Nitish Kumar’s proactive steps in initiating the caste survey.
Electoral Calculations and Party Narratives
The caste census has become a key electoral issue in Bihar and is expected to influence national politics in the coming years. The NDA alliance, comprising the BJP and JD(U), is seeking to appropriate the credit for implementing the caste census. JD(U) leaders like Sanjay Kumar Jha and Rajiv Ranjan Prasad have highlighted that while Opposition parties like the RJD were in power for 15 years, they failed to initiate a caste census.
The Opposition, particularly the RJD and the Congress, claims that their sustained agitation forced the government’s hand. Lalu Prasad Yadav’s statement—“We will hold the RSS and BJP by the ear and make them do the caste census”—has become a rallying cry for Opposition supporters.
The BJP, once hesitant to embrace caste-based politics explicitly, now finds itself rebranding in response to shifting demographics. Increasing support from the OBC and EBC communities has compelled the party to recalibrate its position, with leaders like Santosh Pathak affirming that the BJP has always been supportive of a caste census.
Legal and Constitutional Considerations
The implementation of a caste census and any policy decisions arising from its findings, such as enhanced reservation quotas, must navigate complex legal terrain. The Supreme Court has placed a 50% ceiling on reservations (Indra Sawhney v. Union of India, 1992). However, Bihar’s recent attempt to raise reservations to 65% has been struck down by Patna High court, highlighting judicial resistance to exceeding this limit.
RJD MP Sudhakar Singh and others have demanded that any increase in quotas be placed under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to protect it from judicial review. This opens a constitutional debate about balancing judicial oversight with the mandate for social justice, raising questions about how far the state can go in restructuring affirmative action frameworks based on fresh data.
Why Caste Data Matters
Policy Formulation and Social Justice
Without reliable caste-wise data, affirmative action policies often rest on outdated estimates. A caste census can inform targeted development schemes, enable equitable distribution of resources, and help measure the effectiveness of existing policies. It is essential for rationalizing welfare expenditure and avoiding both underrepresentation and “creamy layer” distortions.
Correcting Historical Injustice
Caste census data can illuminate structural disadvantages and help address centuries of exclusion and discrimination. Quantifying backwardness is a precondition for crafting corrective mechanisms in employment, education, and political representation.
Democratic Legitimacy
In a democracy, representation should mirror population demographics. A caste census would reveal disparities in political, bureaucratic, and educational representation, compelling political actors to respond through more inclusive governance.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite its advantages, a caste census is not without complications.
Social Fragmentation
Critics argue that caste enumeration can entrench social divisions and foster identity-based politics. In a diverse country like India, where caste loyalties often override civic solidarity, this risk is not trivial.
Data Complexity and Enumeration Errors
The technical challenge of categorizing thousands of sub-castes and ensuring accurate self-reporting could undermine the credibility of the data. The 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) faced criticism over data inconsistencies and was never fully released.
Political Manipulation
There is a fear that caste data could be weaponized for vote-bank politics rather than genuine social transformation. The lack of institutional safeguards on how caste data is used may lead to further politicization of identity.
The caste census debate underscores a deeper struggle between competing visions of India—one that aspires toward a casteless society through erasure, and another that seeks to achieve social justice through recognition. The Bihar caste survey has set a precedent, and its ripple effects are already being felt across the political spectrum. The caste census, if executed with transparency, technical rigor, and legal safeguards, can serve as a powerful instrument for deepening democracy and fostering equity. It is imperative that the enumeration process is followed by timely data release, legislative action, and public deliberation. The road ahead demands political will, legal reform, and societal commitment to the constitutional values of justice, equality, and dignity.
ये भी पढ़ें: जाति जनगणना: हक़ और बराबरी की नई इबारत
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