Ravindra Ojha
info@theemergingworld.in
The call for a caste census in India has emerged as a significant and contentious issue in recent years, drawing the attention of various political parties and social thinkers alike. However, any push for such an enumeration must go beyond narrow electoral calculations and focus on a broader, more meaningful goal: addressing the deeply entrenched inequalities that continue to affect the most marginalized sections of Indian society. Caste, as India’s oldest and most persistent social fault line, exerts a profound influence on nearly every aspect of life in the country, often in ways that are both overt and subtle.
To understand the current debate on the caste census, it is crucial to delve into the historical context of caste in India. The caste system, a rigid social hierarchy that has existed for millennia, has been one of the most significant sources of social stratification and discrimination in Indian society. It divides people into various groups based on their birth, dictating their occupation, social status, and even the people they can interact with. The system has led to the marginalization of certain groups, particularly the Dalits (formerly known as “untouchables”) and the Adivasis (tribal communities), who have historically been subjected to severe social and economic disadvantages.
The Indian Constitution, crafted by the Constituent Assembly under the leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, sought to dismantle these entrenched inequalities through a series of progressive measures. One of the most significant of these was the introduction of affirmative action policies, including caste-based reservations in education and employment, aimed at providing opportunities to historically disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the Constitution banned untouchability and sought to protect the rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) through a range of legal safeguards.
Post-independence, India’s decadal census, which is one of the largest data collection exercises in the world, deliberately moved away from the colonial practice of enumerating every caste. Instead, it focused on recording religious affiliations and counting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, reflecting the government’s intention to promote a more egalitarian society. This approach was largely maintained for over seven decades, despite the expansion of affirmative action policies and the introduction of stringent anti-discrimination laws. The decision not to enumerate castes was seen as a step towards minimizing the salience of caste in public life and promoting national integration.
In recent years, however, the issue of caste enumeration has resurfaced, driven by various political and social factors. Several political parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and even some members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), such as Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) (Ram Vilas), have been vocal in their demand for a fresh caste census. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the leading party in the NDA, has maintained a strategic silence on the matter, carefully avoiding the issue during election campaigns.
The demand for a caste census has also found resonance in the parliamentary panel for the welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), with opposition parties and JD(U) pushing for a discussion on the topic. The re-emergence of the caste census as a political issue reflects the complex and evolving nature of caste in Indian society and politics.
The first perspective, long championed by anti-caste thinkers and increasingly embraced by mainstream political parties, posits that a caste census is essential for understanding the granular impact of caste on various aspects of life in India. Proponents of this view argue that caste is not merely a social category but a significant determinant of economic and social outcomes. They believe that without comprehensive data on caste, it is impossible to accurately assess the extent to which caste-based discrimination and exclusion continue to affect access to education, employment, economic opportunities, and social mobility.
Supporters of this view contend that hard data on caste is crucial for framing effective policies aimed at reducing inequality and promoting social justice. They argue that policies based on incomplete or outdated data are likely to be ineffective and may even exacerbate existing inequalities. For instance, if the data shows that certain castes are disproportionately underrepresented in higher education or formal employment, targeted interventions can be designed to address these gaps. In the absence of such data, policy-making becomes a shot in the dark, with little assurance that the most disadvantaged groups will benefit.
Moreover, proponents believe that eliding the impact of caste in public policy discussions only serves to perpetuate the status quo, wherein marginalized groups continue to bear the brunt of social and economic disadvantages. By shining a light on the stark realities of caste, a caste census could serve as a powerful tool for social reform, compelling policymakers to confront uncomfortable truths and take concrete steps to address them.
The second perspective is rooted in the political motivations behind the push for a caste census. Opposition parties view the caste census as a potential game-changer in the political landscape, particularly in light of the economic discontent and concerns about reservations that have led to shifts in voting patterns. In recent years, there has been a significant realignment of the Dalit and OBC vote base, with many voters moving away from the BJP, which had previously made significant inroads into these communities.
Opposition parties believe that a caste census could reignite the kind of political churn that occurred during the Mandal Commission era in the 1990s, when the implementation of OBC reservations led to widespread protests and a realignment of political forces. They argue that by highlighting the inequalities faced by OBCs and other marginalized groups, a caste census could mobilize these communities and create a new political dynamic that challenges the BJP’s dominance.
For some NDA members, particularly those who have historically benefitted from the Mandal Commission’s recommendations, the caste census represents the next logical step in their political journey. They see it as an opportunity to solidify their support base among OBCs and other marginalized communities, while also positioning themselves as champions of social justice.
However, critics of this view caution that using the caste census as a political tool could have unintended consequences. They argue that such a move risks deepening existing social divisions and could lead to a resurgence of identity-based politics, which could undermine national unity and social cohesion.
The third perspective expresses concern that a caste census could exacerbate existing social divisions and reinforce caste identities in ways that are detrimental to the goals of equality and national integration. Critics of the caste census argue that the British-era caste enumeration was flawed and that the 2011 socio-economic caste census, whose data was never fully released, was marred by inaccuracies and inconsistencies.
They contend that counting castes in a modern, progressive society is a regressive step that could entrench caste-based identities and perpetuate the very inequalities that the census is supposed to address. Moreover, they argue that a caste census could lead to increased competition for scarce resources among different caste groups, potentially leading to social unrest and conflict.
Critics also point to the practical challenges of conducting a caste census, including the difficulty of accurately identifying and categorizing the myriad of caste groups that exist in India. They warn that any errors or inconsistencies in the data could lead to further marginalization of already disadvantaged groups and could undermine public trust in the government’s ability to address social inequalities.
Given the diverse and often conflicting perspectives on the caste census, it is clear that no single viewpoint should dominate the discussion. The primary objective of any such policy must be to improve the lives of those who are most disadvantaged, and the proposal for a caste census should be assessed on this basis, rather than being driven by political agendas.
At the same time, it is important to recognize that no census alone can address the deep-seated issues related to caste if the implementation of affirmative action policies continues to face challenges. Despite the legal safeguards and affirmative action programs that have been in place for decades, caste-based discrimination and exclusion remain pervasive in Indian society. A caste census, by itself, cannot remedy these issues unless it is accompanied by concerted efforts to address the structural inequalities that underpin the caste system.
Furthermore, any debate on the caste census must take into account the broader context of the long-overdue decadal census. The delay in conducting the census has already had significant implications for policy-making and governance, and addressing this issue should be a priority before embarking on a caste enumeration exercise.
While the call for a caste census has gained traction in recent years, it is imperative that the discourse surrounding it is shaped by a commitment to social justice, equity, and national unity, rather than short-term political gains. Nuance, empathy, and transparency must drive this discussion, with the needs and aspirations of ordinary citizens, rather than political calculations, at its center. Only then can such an exercise contribute meaningfully to addressing the deeply entrenched inequalities that continue to plague Indian society, and pave the way for a more just and inclusive future.
