Caste is an integral part of Indian society, influencing social relationships, economic opportunities, and political dynamics. In a major development, on September 2 the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), BJP’s ideological parent, extended its support to the nationwide caste census calling it a sensitive issue. The RSS said that the caste census should be held for the betterment of the people and not for electoral gains. The organisation noted that it is important to know the number of people in each caste to work for their development. “There should not be caste census for electoral gains. Caste census should be held for the betterment of the people. It is important to know the number of people in each caste for their development,” the RSS said.
The latest stance taken by the RSS on the caste census is significant. Notably, the Congress-led Opposition has been advocating the caste census in the country and pressing the Centre to conduct the same. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had said in the lower house that once the INDIA bloc comes to power, it will conduct the caste census. Rahul Gandhi last month asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill the nation’s demand for a caste census immediately otherwise he would see the next PM do it. “No power can stop a nationwide caste census,” the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha had said on X in Hindi, tagging a post by the Congress on a “mood of the nation poll” by a media group.
Every Census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 has published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but not on other castes. Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) was first conducted in 1931 which aimed to collect information on the economic status of Indian families, both in rural and urban areas, to identify indicators of deprivation. While Census provides a general portrait of the Indian population, SECC is used to identify beneficiaries of state support. Census data is confidential under the Census Act of 1948, while personal information in SECC is open for use by government departments to grant or restrict benefits to households.
A caste census can help identify the disadvantaged groups and bring them to the forefront of policy making. By understanding the distribution of different caste groups, targeted policies can be implemented to address social inequality and uplift marginalised communities. Without accurate data on the population of OBCs and other groups, it is difficult to ensure equitable distribution of resources. A caste census can guide policymakers in formulating policies that cater to the specific requirements of each group, thereby promoting inclusive development. However, it is crucial for policymakers to carefully consider the pros and cons to provide for a more equitable and just society.
