The Government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census exercise has stirred considerable debate, particularly regarding its implications for social equity and national unity. The move is framed as an attempt to bring transparency to caste enumeration, particularly in light of the political dynamics surrounding caste-based surveys conducted in various states. This development comes after years of political discourse and promises made by opposition parties to incorporate caste census as a tool for improving representation.
Caste enumeration has been a contentious issue in India for decades. Despite its prominence in Indian society, caste data has not been consistently included in national census operations since independence. The omission has led to calls from various quarters-especially marginalised groups-for better representation and targeted social welfare programmes based on precise caste demographics. The last major effort to conduct a caste-related survey was in 2011 when the Socio-Economic and Caste Census was carried out. However, the SECC did not focus on detailed caste data but instead gathered socio-economic indicators. The Government’s decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census, set to take place in 2025, aims to provide more reliable data to shape policy. This could, in theory, lead to a more equitable distribution of resources and affirmative action measures. The Government’s position is that it seeks to avoid the pitfalls of state-level surveys that have been conducted in a “non-transparent” manner.
The inclusion of caste enumeration in the national census has the potential to offer tangible benefits. Accurate caste data could help better target affirmative action policies, ensuring that resources are directed toward the communities that need them the most. Moreover, it could provide a clearer understanding of India’s social inequalities, enabling the Government to craft policies that are more effective in addressing long-standing disparities. Caste-based affirmative action, particularly in the form of reservations, has been a cornerstone of India’s social justice initiatives. Despite the potential benefits, the political polarisation surrounding caste-based issues cannot be ignored. The decision to include caste enumeration in the census is likely to deepen the divisions between political parties that see caste as either a source of empowerment or a divisive force. Moreover, the manner in which caste data is used post-enumeration will be crucial. If the data is leveraged solely for political gain-whether to bolster reservations or to pander to specific voter bases-the initiative could backfire and deepen social fractures. The challenge will be ensuring that caste enumeration leads to genuine social and economic improvements, rather than reinforcing existing divisions.
The practical aim of a caste census is to allocate resources and benefits based on the population share of each caste. However, this has triggered widespread demands from various communities, often leading to major agitations like those by the Jats or following the Mandal Commission, with both strong support and opposition. Although the Supreme Court has capped reservations at 50%, political parties frequently promise to exceed this limit. What began as a policy to uplift genuinely disadvantaged castes has increasingly turned into a political tool, often sidelining merit and disproportionately impacting the general category. Furthermore, there are growing calls to extend reservations into the private sector as well. Without stricter controls-such as limiting benefits to one per family, setting financial cut-offs, and disallowing promotion-based reservations-this unchecked expansion risks spiralling beyond manageable limits.
Ultimately, whether this move will lead to meaningful change depends on how the data is used and whether it fosters social cohesion or exacerbates existing divisions. What is clear is that caste continues to be a defining issue in India’s politics, and any effort to address it must be rooted in genuine social justice, rather than partisan calculations for electoral gains by various political parties. In a nation as diverse and complex as India, ensuring that caste enumeration leads to positive outcomes for all segments of society will be a delicate balancing act.
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