Caste Enumeration Sparks Political Debates Ahead of Next Lok Sabha Elections
Venkata Ramana
In a recent development that has set the political landscape ablaze, the Bihar government conducted a groundbreaking caste survey, revealing the intricate web of caste demographics in the state. This revelation has ignited demands for similar surveys in other states and raised questions about whether caste counts will influence future elections.
Released on October 2nd, the Bihar government’s caste survey has led to fervent calls for its implementation in various states across India. This survey, conducted just six months prior to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, has triggered a nationwide debate on the role of caste enumeration in politics.
Regional parties, sensing the potential electoral advantages of caste-based data, have been at the forefront of these demands. The Maharashtra-based ‘India Black’ party has already called for a caste survey, and other regional parties are following suit. The driving force behind these demands is not just the desire for welfare schemes and development but also the quest to secure votes from minority communities.
Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, initiated this caste census in June last year after the central government deemed a caste census unfeasible. The urgency for caste enumeration arises from the fact that the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) population has surpassed reservation limits, necessitating a revision. However, the underlying motivation for this move is to win the favor of various caste groups by announcing schemes based on their population, effectively influencing their voting patterns.
In states like Uttar Pradesh, political parties such as the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nishad Party, and Suhel Dev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) are fervently advocating for caste enumeration. However, in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has opposed the idea, although political experts speculate that Mamata Banerjee may reconsider her stance.
Across the country, the upper castes constitute less than 15 percent of the population, yet they hold a disproportionate share of key positions, educational opportunities, and employment prospects. This stark inequality has led to demands for the prioritization of political representation for the weaker sections in states with substantial BC (Backward Class) populations.
Several states, including Maharashtra, Odisha, and Jharkhand, have already given the green signal for conducting caste surveys. While surveys have been completed in Karnataka and Telangana, the reports have yet to be released. The BJP, recognizing the impracticality of a nationwide caste census, has already declared the Prime Minister as an OBC member. The Kamalam Party appears to be focused on the interests of the 82 percent Hindu population, rather than just caste-wise considerations.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, has announced that if his party comes to power, they will address the caste system as a top priority. The central government has informed the Supreme Court that the population census falls under its jurisdiction, casting doubt on the accuracy of Bihar’s survey. Petitions against the Bihar survey were filed in the Patna High Court but were ultimately rejected. However, a charitable organization named ‘Ek Soch Ek Prayas’ has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, further fueling speculation that caste enumeration may become a reality in many states before the next Lok Sabha elections.
This ongoing debate on caste enumeration underscores the profound influence of caste dynamics on India’s political landscape, setting the stage for potential electoral shifts in the near future.
