Bihar Caste Based Census | A detailed discussions | with K.M. Sir

In this content we shall try to know about recently published caste-based census released by Bihar government, how does it effective and what would be its implications? 

Recently on October 2, Bihar government has released its caste-based survey and it become a burning issue in Bihar where both ruling and opposition lambasting each other. This issue allows many sections of people to think over it while some admitting it as a good move. It provides a new horizon in the politics of Bihar where the polls are due in 2024 and 2025 of national assembly and state assembly respectively. How does it effective for the vulnerable sections of the society and help to draw attention of the government.

If we talk about the census released by the government it says the total population of Bihar grew to 13.07 crore from 10 crore over the last ten years. It also tells us that the number of extremely backward caste EBC is 36.01% which is 4.71 crore followed by OBC with 27.13%. The unreserved category population in Bihar is only 15.52%. The demography of SC is 19.65% where as 1.68% ST only. 

This census not only based on caste but also tried to distinguish on religions. As per reports Hindu community accounts for 81.99% followed by Muslims 17.70%, Christians 0.05%, Buddhists 0.09% and Sikhs 0.01%. The data shows not only social status but also economic status of each groups. 

 Through this data the government now can make plans of economic empowerment to the economic vulnerable groups and works towards the direction for the welfare of the society. If we see the general trend of the data we observe that the economic status of the EBC is extremely poor, however their population is in sizeable proportionate to others. 

Many scholars  accused the government to get political benefits and vote banks. Every political parties have their different stands about this census. Its implications may cause direct benefits to the political parties in lieu of people welfare. 

Challenges to 50% reservation limit 

To assess the situation of OBC in the country, a commission was formed under the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal. It tells the economic and social conditions of OBC is not good and recommends 27% reservations to OBCs. Initially it was not accepted, later in 1990 under the government of V.P Singh, it accepted the recommendation of 27% reservation. This led to a widespread violence witness in India, and the decision to give 27% reservation was challenged in the Supreme Court of India. 

The Supreme Court verdicts comes in 1992 and this announcement is called Indira Sahani Vs Indian Government. The SC upholds the recommendation to allow 27% reservation but it set the limit of reservation to 50% to be granted by any government. And this case is also called Mandal Case. It says the reservation can not exceed 50 %. The Mandal Commission estimated the total percentage of OBC population was around 52%. But it can be exceed if a census is conducted on national level. 

The state governments can exercise their power to give reservation to certain caste groups depends upon how much they are underdeveloped and their proportion in different institutions. 

History of Census 

The first census was held in 1951 after independence and the last census was held in 2011. In 2021 there was no census held in India due to Corona pandemic. And the first Caste-based census was released in 1931. In 1941 the caste-based census was conducted but the report was not published because many officials were engaged in the Second world war. It required huge money and resources and the British government in India was engaged in the war and there was also the shortage of human resources many officials were deputed in the war since then, this trend of caste-based census was stopped. 

Why the caste-based census is being criticised? 

We already divided on the basis of religion and the caste-based census further fuel the dividation process between different castes. 

- It may disturb our social fabric of the society. 

- It may allow the political parties to play vote banks in the name of development.

- Some experts say it would give a chance to ruling government to distract from the main matters like poverty, education, health, etc.

- It will also allow the rise of many caste-based political parties it means it will promote "Politics of Identity".

- There is possibilities of violence as it was seen after the admission of Mandal recommendation at pan-India level.

- Inspire from Bihar, many states now may try to conduct the same caste-based survey in their states and this might lead to make mounting pressure on central government to conduct caste-based survey at India level. And there is a chance of the same fate of violence aroused during 1990s.

Conclusion 

However, Bihar government published its caste-based census on the name of development should not be misused and other states should not embark on the same path like Bihar. Bihar is one of the least developed states of India and any initiative taken to empower socially, economically and politically to the people of Bihar should be welcomed. It should be seen as a positive step and yet to see how the government bring welfare schemes by using this data.