The government’s decision to conduct a caste census marks a watershed moment in India’s journey towards a more inclusive democracy. For decades, the absence of updated caste data has left policymakers, social justice advocates, and political actors navigating in the dark. The move to finally enumerate caste in the upcoming census, after nearly a century, is both overdue and fraught with complex implications.
A History of Silence
The last comprehensive caste census was conducted in 1931 under colonial rule. That data, now almost a century old, still underpins key policy decisions, including the Mandal Commission’s recommendations and the OBC reservation framework. Post-Independence, the census restricted itself to enumerating only Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, leaving the vast and diverse OBC population in statistical obscurity. The 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census, though ambitious, stopped short of publishing detailed caste data, a decision that has since drawn criticism from multiple quarters.
Politics of Enumeration
The politics around the caste census is as layered as Indian society itself. For the Congress and several regional parties, the demand for a caste census has been a rallying cry, rooted in the argument that social justice cannot be delivered without knowing the true numbers. The BJP, after years of ambiguity and resistance, has now embraced the exercise, a move that signals both a recognition of changing political realities and a strategic recalibration ahead of crucial state and national elections.
The contest over who gets credit for the census is already underway. The opposition hails it as a victory for their persistent advocacy, while the government frames it as a testament to decisive leadership. Yet, beyond this political theatre lies a more fundamental question: will counting castes lead to bridging divides, or will it deepen them?
Opportunities and Risks
A caste census, if conducted with transparency and rigour, can provide the empirical foundation for more equitable policies. It can help recalibrate reservation quotas, target welfare schemes more effectively, and ensure that the benefits of development reach the most marginalized. For a nation as diverse as India, data is the first step towards justice.
But the risks are real. Caste, as a social identity, is fluid and often contested. Enumerators will face the challenge of navigating local hierarchies, sub-castes, and the politicization of identities. There is also the danger of the data being weaponized for short-term electoral gains, rather than long-term social transformation.
A Defining Moment
India stands at a crossroads. The caste census is not just an administrative exercise; it is a test of the country’s commitment to equality and transparency. If done right, it can shine a light on hidden inequities and empower millions who have long remained invisible in policy debates. If mishandled, it risks reinforcing the very divisions it seeks to address.
The challenge, then, is to approach this exercise with honesty, sensitivity, and a vision for a more just society. For in counting castes, India must not lose sight of its larger goal: to build a nation where identity is not a barrier, but a bridge to opportunity.
Dr. Sagar Bhalerao
Media for Democracy | Media Advocacy | Independent Researcher
Mob: 9967055690
