The state of Bihar’s recent unveiling of the Caste Survey results in 2023 has sparked a wave of discussions on its implications. The survey indicated that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) comprise around 63% of Bihar’s total population, an insight with potential wide-ranging repercussions on state and national elections, as well as the distribution of welfare resources.
Understanding the Caste Landscape in Bihar
The census revealed a detailed overview of the population distribution among different caste groups in Bihar. EBCs and OBCs held the largest share with 36.01% and 27.12%, respectively. Scheduled Castes accounted for 19.65%, whilst Scheduled Tribes comprised only 1.68%. Other minority religious communities like Buddhists, Christians, Sikhs, and Jains constituted less than 1% of the population.
Methodology of the Caste Survey
The process was conducted in two phases with specific objectives in each. The first phase involved counting and documenting all households in Bihar using a set of 17 mandatory questions to be answered by respondents. Conversely, the second phase revolved around gathering information about the individuals in these households, capturing details about their castes, sub-castes, and socio-economic conditions. Some supplementary data, such as the Aadhaar number, caste certificate number, and ration card number of the family head, were optional to provide.
Potential Implications of the Bihar Caste Survey Findings
The survey results could have several direct impacts on society and policy. For instance, there may be increased demands to expand the OBC quota beyond its current 27%, alongside advocating for a separate quota for EBCs. The Justice Rohini Commission’s yet-to-be-made-public report on the sub-categorisation of OBCs since 2017 is also expected to play a significant role in this discourse.
The findings could also drive the conversation around revising the 50% reservation ceiling imposed by the Supreme Court in 1992. This demand for an increased reservation quota proportionate to population figures is likely to be fueled by various caste groups.
Moreover, these insights could be instrumental in fulfilling Constitutional obligations, particularly regarding attaining objectives outlined in Directive Principles of State Policies (DPSPs). Realizing “Sarvodaya,” a vision of socio-economic equality and social justice, could potentially be furthered through targeted measures informed by this caste census.
Concerns Surrounding the Caste Census
However, several concerns are associated with conducting a caste census. There are fears that measuring caste could solidify or intensify social identities, leading to political and societal repercussions. Such apprehensions keep significant portions of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data from being released.
Furthermore, caste in India has always been more than a marker of deprivation or class. It showcases a unique form of embedded discrimination that often goes beyond pure socio-economic strata. For instance, individuals with Dalit surnames encounter more barriers obtaining job interviews or rental accommodations, even with superior qualifications, compared to upper-caste candidates.
History of Caste Census in India
The last caste census was conducted in 1931 under British rule, with data publicly disclosed and used as the foundation for Mandal Commission Reports and subsequent reservation policies for Other Backward Classes. The 2011 Census marked the first attempt to collect caste-based data after India’s independence, but data on caste were withheld due to prospects of political manipulation and favoritism.
The Nature of the Census and SECC
The origin of the Census in India traces back to the colonial era practice in 1881. It now serves as a crucial resource for the government, policymakers, and academics to understand India’s population dynamics, allocate resources, map social change, and execute delimitation exercises. Additionally, since the 1931 SECC, it also notifies authorities about household economic statuses and specific caste names, providing crucial insights on socio-economic disparities among various caste groups.
While the Census paints an overall portrait of India’s demographics, the SECC is a tool for identifying beneficiaries of state support. The data captured via the Census are confidential under the Census Act of 1948, whilst SECC data can be legally utilized by government departments to administer or restrict benefits to households.
