Census and changing approach

The last census in India was conducted in 2011. The census scheduled for 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it was rescheduled for September 2024, the central government has not confirmed whether it will take place. The census is conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, which comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Generally speaking, a census is a count of various sections of the country. However, it has great significance on political, social, and other levels. The existence of the reservation itself depends on the upcoming census as the Supreme Court has asked backward communities to submit an accurate count of their population to prove their eligibility for reservation.

However, no one has an official document to submit such a count. The OBC groups will receive an accurate count only if the census counts both the religion and caste of each individual. When the BJP was in opposition, they were in favour of conducting a caste census. However, after coming to power, they have adopted a stance against it. However, the setback in the recent Lok Sabha elections may have prompted the BJP to rethink their stand on this issue. On the other hand, the India Alliance had promised in their manifesto that they would conduct a caste census if they came to power.

The JD(U), led by Nitish Kumar, a key ally of the BJP at the centre, is a party that has taken an uncompromising stance in favour of a caste census. Therefore, in the changed circumstances, the BJP is likely to extend support to the caste census. In the census, separate counts will be made of Muslim and Christian communities. SC, ST communities will also be counted separately. However, no separate count will be made of OBC communities. They will all be counted as Hindus. The benefits of reservation are exclusively reserved for those who are socially and communally backward among Hindus. A caste census is necessary to precisely identify and separately enumerate them, and to gather statistical data.

The words spoken by RSS spokesperson Sunil Ambekar in favour of the caste census after the Samanwaya Baithak in Palakkad suggest that the RSS, which had earlier been against the caste census, is now changing its stance. It indicates that the RSS has taken a stance in favour of caste census with certain conditions. Sunil Ambedkar stated that while the government may require data for welfare initiatives, particularly those aimed at backward classes, it must not be transformed into an instrument for political or electoral purposes. A favourable political decision on this is expected soon from the BJP. It's the long-standing rightful demand of the backward communities. The current shift in approach, taking this demand into account, is indeed welcome.