New Delhi (India), May 4, 2023: A caste-based survey in Bihar, which aimed to collect data on the economic status and caste of its residents, has been put on hold by the Patna High Court. The survey, championed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has faced opposition from critics who argue that it amounts to a house-to-house census, which only the central government has the authority to conduct.
Kumar has defended the survey, arguing that it would greatly benefit residents by enabling the government to better target assistance to those in need. However, opponents claim that it could lead to social fragmentation and caste enmities and that it is unnecessary as the central government already conducts a census.
The demand for a caste census has been raised before almost every census since independence, but only Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) have been counted.
The recent Supreme Court judgment allowing states to exceed the 50% cap on reservations for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in exceptional circumstances has prompted some states to demand more data on OBCs to justify their quota policies. The central government, however, has rejected the demand for a caste census, arguing that it is against its policy.
Proponents of a caste census argue that it is necessary to formulate policies and allocate resources for the welfare and empowerment of so-called “lower castes”, who face discrimination and deprivation in various spheres of life. They also claim that a caste census would reflect the diversity and reality of Indian society, and help in addressing the grievances and aspirations of different castes.
