One of the most important contemporary demands of the backward communities in India was to conduct a caste census. However, the ruling BJP at the Centre had never given in to it, citing the ulterior motive of dividing Hindus. At the same time, it was also a demand that Rahul Gandhi and the India Alliance have been constantly raising. The decision by the central government to conduct a caste census now is welcome and commendable in every sense. The political affairs sub-committee of the Union Cabinet, which met on Wednesday, has decided to conduct a complete caste census along with the next general census.

It will be the first caste census in independent India. The man-made caste system has been present in India for centuries. Even when it is said that the caste system was born based on division of labour, the injustices, exclusions and neglect suffered by the backward classes in its name are innumerable. Hindu society is a group consisting of thousands of sub-castes. Only those who are considered to be upper castes had access to all the hierarchy of power. In the pre-independence days, even education, which is a basic right, was denied to others.

Later, when opportunities were opened up for the backward classes, it was proven beyond doubt that the backward classes are not behind anyone in any job based on education. However, even in this modern era, the dominance of the upper castes of Hindus still exists in the central cabinet officials, the Supreme Court, the High Courts and other prominent constitutional institutions. Even after three-quarters of a century since independence, there has not been a single judge from the Ezhava community in the Supreme Court. There are still many people who are clamouring against providing reservations to the backward classes and others. Even the Supreme Court has emphasized that a census report be submitted to be eligible for reservation. Such a document cannot be submitted by the backward classes unless a caste census is conducted.

At the same time, Muslim and Christian communities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes could submit it. It was not possible to submit an approved census document other than to give estimates of how many Ezhava and Nair members there are in Kerala. Although the central government was initially not in favour, the urgent decision to implement the caste census was taken with the aim of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. In any case, it should be described as a historic decision. The central government should soon be ready to announce when the next general census will be conducted. The last complete census was conducted in the country in 2011. The general census was not conducted in 2021 due to the spread of Covid.