Centre takes unexpected decision: Caste census to be conducted next year along with population census

NEW DELHI: The central government has taken an unexpected decision to conduct a caste census alongside the upcoming national census scheduled to begin next year. This move fulfils a long-standing demand of opposition parties.

The timing of the decision, ahead of elections in Bihar, where 63% of the population belongs to backward communities, carries significant political implications. NDA allies such as JD(U) and LJP had been actively demanding a caste census. JD(U) had even asked the Parliamentary Committee on OBC Welfare why the Centre was reluctant to conduct one. Even the RSS has expressed conditional support for the initiative.

Opposition parties like Congress, RJD, and Samajwadi Party have claimed the announcement as a victory for their persistent demands. Rahul Gandhi had challenged the BJP on this issue even during the last general elections, arguing that caste census was essential for ensuring that OBCs and Dalits received appropriate reservations in government positions. The Congress also campaigned in the elections using this demand as a key promise.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the census would transparently record detailed data on castes and sub-castes. The announcement came unexpectedly after the Union Cabinet’s Political Affairs Committee meeting, which was expected to focus on the Pahalgam issue. Vaishnaw emphasised that the INDIA bloc’s demand for the census was politically motivated, but reiterated that census operations fall under the Union List as per Article 246 of the Constitution. While some states have conducted their own caste surveys, a central caste census will provide standardisation and clarity.

In 2010, the Manmohan Singh-led government had decided on a caste survey instead of a full-fledged caste census, and the Congress and its allies used it as a political tool. These surveys aimed at influencing voter behaviour created confusion in society. To avoid such ambiguity, the central government has opted for a transparent census process now.

• Reservation Enforcement: A major benefit of the caste census is that it enables the precise implementation of reservation policies. It will also help in policy-making and the effective delivery of welfare schemes for backward communities.
• Collecting and compiling caste data makes the census process more complex and could cause delays.

Historical context:

• The last caste census was conducted in 1931 under British rule.
• Since 1951, only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been enumerated.
• The 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census data has not been officially published.
• Though the Centre initially proposed a caste census along with the 2021 census, it was later withdrawn.

Caste census was a visionary proposal pushed forward by the Congress. We are happy that the central government has finally accepted it- Rahul Gandhi