By Dr AK Srivastava
“Caste is a socioeconomic reality of Indian society and has been so for centuries. We cannot deny caste-based discrimination in India and the disadvantages imposed by caste at birth.” – Jairam Ramesh
Census is a survey to collect demographic, economic and social data about a nation. In India, we have had a tradition of conducting this survey (Census) every ten years. The first census was done during British rule in 1881. After independence, India had this survey conducted in 1951 by the Registrar General of India under the Census Act 1948. Census is a Union subject under Article 246. So far, the Government of India has conducted a census fifteen times. The last census was done in 2011 by the Congress government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The next census was scheduled for 2021, but it could not be done due to Covid 19. Now it is overdue, and all political parties are demanding it as soon as possible.
The caste census means collecting data on the basis of the caste identity of citizens. The caste census was done in India in 1872 by the British government. Its main aim was to divide and rule the citizens of India. The British Government never wanted the citizens of India to unite and the easiest way to do so was to spread the feelings of division on the basis of caste. Caste-based censuses have a long history in our nation, with information on castes being included up to 1931. It includes the economic status of people, their literacy rate, male-female ratio and other details.
The government of India decided to discontinue collecting caste-based data after independence as it was felt that no discrimination is possible in our democratic set up and such an act creates division in society. The nation wishes to promote social and economic progress over identity politics. By all means we must avoid deepening caste divisions. Hence, from 1951 onwards only SCs (Scheduled Castes) and STs (Scheduled Tribes) were enumerated and the rest of other castes especially OBCs (other backward castes) were left out of formal headcounts.
The data collected in 2011 have not been made public so far. The Mandal Commission was set up in 1979 to decide reservations for OBCs. It makes provisions for 27% for OBCs. In the absence of a proper up-to-date caste census, the commission based its reports on the caste census of 1931. The politicians claim that this allotment of reservation is not fair because in their opinion OBCs are more than 50 % of the population of the nation. Many political parties are pressuring the Central Government to hold a caste census so that every caste can get reservation and benefits of other welfare schemes in proportion to their population in the country. Many states like Bihar, Karnatak and Telangana conducted a caste census to ascertain the socio-economic and educational status of all the castes in their states. All these states find that the percentage of OBCs is much higher than 50 percent. Hence, this issue was made a major agenda for the 2024 elections.
In a sudden and surprising move, the BJP government announced on 30 April 2025 to include all castes in the next census. This move of the government came as a big surprise for most of the opposition parties as it took away a prominent issue in the forthcoming elections from their hands. The government announced that such a step is essential to the holistic interests and values of the nation and society. Most of the opposition parties including Congress claim that they forced the government to change its stand in the larger interest of the nation.
There are many pros and cons of the caste census. First of all, it will really decide the real status of different castes in India in the recent period. The last census done in 1931 cannot be considered authentic for making policies of reservation and other government benefits in educational and other welfare schemes. It is essential to ascertain the present social, economic and educational status of various castes. Since 1931, many castes may have improved their conditions, and many others may have sunk into poverty. Besides this, many castes and sub-castes are demanding reservation claiming that their condition has not improved over the years. They want benefits in all government schemes according to the percentage of their population.
Many scholars and thinkers are against the concept of a caste census, as they believe that it will prove to be a harmful tool for the politics of polarisation. Different political parties will use it for their electoral benefits, and they will create more divisions among various castes on the basis of language, social and economic issues. The feeling of fraternity in different communities will be jeopardised as every community feels that others are taking more or better shares of welfare schemes.
Moreover, a caste census cannot guarantee the social status of every individual belonging to a particular caste. The reason is that the economic, educational and many other dimensions of a family depend on the hard work, planning and initiatives of that family. There are numerous illustrations that tell us that people belonging to SC, ST and OBC castes are doing very well in their lives simply because they work hard and plan their lives in tune with the times.
On the contrary, there are many families that belong to upper castes, but they have been poor and backward due to several reasons. Such families need the help and support of the government through various schemes.
Actually, the caste census is a very complex and cumbersome issue. Many people belonging to different castes use the same surnames. They spell their castes in a variety of ways. Same surnames or castes have different status in different states. Many talented and hard-working students fail to achieve their goals because they belong to a particular caste.
Many forces that wish to divide the nation and make us weak by breaking our unity and spirit of fraternity will have a strong instrument to solve their purpose.
In conclusion, the caste census is a very intricate issue having several pros and cons. It also needs comprehensive knowledge of the provisions made in our constitution. The process of the census is lengthy and complicated. Regional, linguistic and religious understandings are very challenging. Even after the gargantuan and time-consuming process of the caste census, the tailoring of policies and welfare schemes may invite multiple controversies. The government must have taken all these situations into account before making this long-pending decision. It is certain that extensive debates are required in parliament before making crucial policies and welfare schemes so that this issue is handled adequately and amicably.
(Dr AK Srivastava is Principal, DAV Inter College, Dehradun)
