By Kalyani Shankar
Will a caste census set off a catastrophe or settle the demand of many political events? Whereas it performs such a dominant function in our social, financial, and political life, it’s unusual that no credible Caste knowledge has existed since 1931. Additionally, the outstanding 4 essential castes, Brahmin, Kshatriyas, Vaishya, and Shudra, have produced a whole lot of subcastes and proceed to create extra sub-sections.
The demand to depend castes shouldn’t be new: Each Census in unbiased India from 1951 to 2011 has revealed knowledge on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, however not on different castes. Decennial Census till 1931 had knowledge on Caste, however because of World Warfare 11, the 1941 census was skipped. After independence, the Nehru authorities rejected the demand for a caste census. Indira Gandhi’s authorities turned the Mandal fee suggestion within the 1981 census. In 2001, the Vajpayee authorities rejected the same proposal by the then Registrar Basic of Census. In 2010 the Manmohan Singh authorities too dismissed the inclusion of castes within the Census however surveyed on an financial foundation as a substitute. The Modi authorities launched solely its monetary element (in 2015) and withheld the caste element. Sadly, the decennial inhabitants census of 2021 has been postponed because of the Covid pandemic.
Political Events have already taken sides and sought votes within the identify of castes and gained. Caste-based events have additionally sprung up just like the BSP, Samajwadi Social gathering, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and so forth. Events similar to JD(U), RJD, SP, BSP, YSRCP, and the DMK rely upon sure caste teams for his or her political power. They had been main a heavy marketing campaign for the subsequent caste census in 2021. Different leaders, together with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, Samajwadi Social gathering (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Bahujan Samaj Social gathering (BSP) chief Mayawati, stay in favour.
A caste depend would possibly lead to a requirement for inclusion for reservation. It comes up earlier than virtually each Census. It grew to become the electoral plank in states like Tamil Nadu, simply as many Bihar and Uttar Pradesh political events made a powerful plea for a caste census. A number of communities similar to Jats in Haryana, Patels in Gujarat and Marathas in Maharashtra have demanded inclusion below the OBC class.
There are arguments for and towards the caste census. As for the SC and STs, the quotas are primarily based on the census report. However the OBC reservation was mounted at 27 % to maintain the reservation cap at 50 %.
If the help for the caste census is political, so is the opposition demerging from a number of components. A caste-based census will solely expose the higher castes who’ve been the first beneficiaries. Secondly, the BJP and the RSS apprehend {that a} caste depend would possibly dent their fastidiously constructed caste alliances.
Supporters declare there may very well be no correct estimate for the OBCs and others with out the caste knowledge. The Mandal Fee estimated the OBC inhabitants at 52%, and another calculations are primarily based on Nationwide Pattern Survey knowledge. Nonetheless, political events make their estimates in states and Lok Sabha and Meeting seats throughout elections. By the way, the Nationwide Fee on Backward Courses, the parliamentary committee on the welfare of OBCs, and previously, the Registrar Basic of Census have endorsed the demand for a backward lessons census.
Secondly, the caste census was the one option to breach the present 50 % cap on reservations. The Apex courtroom, too, has really helpful caste depend was important to rule on the 50 % cap.
Thirdly, caste knowledge is important as a consider public coverage.
Opponents argue that such a headcount will harden caste identities and result in social fragmentation and caste enmities. It will be not solely divisive but in addition counterproductive. There may very well be political and social repercussions. BJP leaders argue that a number of leaders from Mahatma Gandhi downwards to Rammonohar Lohia have expressed that caste discrimination has weakened society. Additionally they really feel they need to not now contact on a posh and difficult problem.
The demand for a caste census goes past politics. Opponents and supporters have run their arguments forcefully. It’s for the Modi authorities to take a choice. India runs the world’s most intensive affirmative welfare programme primarily based on caste identification. Whereas the youth desire a casteless society, Caste is being perpetuated. India has seen many caste-based agitations and can proceed to see them, which can hurt the social material. It’s an emotional and controversial problem that many governments would somewhat steer clear of such a census. Within the 21 st century, India needs to be discussing ‘let’s dispose of caste’ somewhat than additional dividing India into these traces. (IPA Service)
The submit Caste Census Has Now Emerged As A Main Concern For Political Events first appeared on IPA Newspack.
