Growing Demand
The demand for a caste census gains momentum in Indian politics, with opposition parties pushing for caste-wise enumeration and the BJP government facing pressure on reservation policies and representation.
What is Caste Census?
Understanding the demand:
Concept
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Last caste census | 1931 |
| Current demand | Enumeration of all castes |
| Purpose | Data for policy |
| Scope | Population, economic status |
Bihar's Initiative
State-level precedent:
Bihar Caste Survey
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Year | 2023 |
| Scope | Full state |
| Findings | OBC majority revealed |
| Impact | Political ammunition |
Political Positions
Party stances:
Party Positions
| Party | Stance |
|---|---|
| BJP | Cautious/Opposed |
| Congress | Supports |
| SP | Strongly supports (PDA) |
| RJD | Supports |
| JD(U) | Supports |
| BSP | Some reservations |
OBC Politics
Backward class dynamics:
Political Importance
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| OBC population | ~50%+ (disputed) |
| Reservation | 27% central |
| Representation | Alleged under-representation |
| Demand | Proportionate share |
2024 Election Impact
Electoral significance:
Lok Sabha Effect
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| PDA narrative | Successful in UP |
| BJP losses | Caste factor cited |
| Opposition unity | OBC mobilization |
Government Response
BJP's position:
Arguments
| Claim | Position |
|---|---|
| Social harmony | Census may divide |
| Data sufficiency | Existing surveys |
| Implementation | Challenges |
| Priority | Development over identity |
Constitutional Issues
Legal dimensions:
Questions
| Issue | Status |
|---|---|
| Census law | Centre's domain |
| Method | Socio-economic vs. caste-only |
| Accuracy | Self-reporting concerns |
| Political use | Concern |
Reservation Debate
Quota implications:
Current Status
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| Total | 59.5% |
| 50% cap | Supreme Court limit |
State-Level Demands
Beyond Bihar:
Other States
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| Karnataka | Discussed |
| Maharashtra | Debated |
| Tamil Nadu | Supports |
| Telangana | Survey proposed |
Social Justice vs. Merit
Competing narratives:
Arguments
| For Census | Against |
|---|---|
| Data-based policy | Division |
| Representation | Merit concerns |
| Historical justice | Vote bank politics |
| Transparency | Implementation issues |
Looking Ahead
Caste census trajectory:
Likely Scenarios
- Continued political demand
- State-level initiatives
- National politics issue
- 2029 election factor
- Policy implications
The caste census debate reflects deeper questions about social justice, representation, and the nature of Indian democracy.
