The caste question

Can the BJP handle the social fragmentation that could occur due to a caste census?

- BADRI NARAYAN

INDIAN SOCIETY HAS multiple diversities — ecological, cultural, social, and political. These diversities need to be transformed so that they are our strengths, not weaknesses. When political forces lose their deep and lively connection with the people, they sometimes indulge in politics based on societal fault lines. In such a situation, any political party in power needs to deal with the fault lines delicately and cautiously, as they often tend to emerge due to misinterpretation of the diversity inherent in Indian society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in many of his speeches, has emphasized that diversity is a strength for India, not weakness. During his tenure of over 10 years, he has creatively and sensitively attempted to convert these diversities as resources for Viksit Bharat (developed India).

Caste is central to Indian society and politics. It creates homogeneity as well as diversity, integration as well as difference, and unity as well as fragmentation. In the past few years, Rahul Gandhi's Indian National Congress (INC) has been constantly trying to use caste fault lines for political mobilization by campaigning for a caste census. This move has propagated various rumors, false assumptions, and social doubts. Sometimes, such social conditions may disrupt peace. In the absence of a caste-based national census, a few regional parties and INC-led states began conducting their own caste-based surveys. The data collected from some of the surveys also led to debates on their aptness and authenticity. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government announced the caste-based enumeration for the upcoming national census against this backdrop.