Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD

Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just

$149.99
 
$74.99/Year

Try GOLD - Free

Caste census and changing narratives in Indian politics

Hindustan Times Delhi

|

May 02, 2025

The National Democratic Alliance government (NDA) has decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census.

- Badri Narayan

Census with caste as a detail was a colonial invention, now being reinvented by post-colonial governance and given a new meaning and context.

The census with caste enumeration — popularly called caste census — has both symbolic and substantial values.

As a symbolic act, it may sharpen caste-based identity assertion in both politics and policymaking.

However, it will also generate rich data and details that can help in framing policies for the equal and equitable distribution of material and political resources in society.

The caste census is also likely to reshape people's priorities, from a mere aspiration for development (read public resources) to assertion for representation and, through that, development among various under-represented social groups.

It may also lead to an unfolding of caste and sub-caste identities and reshaping of society in an equitable manner in the long-run.

This decision of the Narendra Modi government has major political implications.

First, it is likely to demolish the political and electoral strategies of the Congress-led anti-BJP Opposition, which was aiming to use caste census to mobilise OBCs and other marginal communities.

They will need to reframe their political strategy, especially in Bihar, where assembly elections are due later this year.

MORE STORIES FROM Hindustan Times Delhi

Hindustan Times

Google says it has developed quantum computing algorithm in breakthrough

Google said it has developed a computer algorithm that points the way to practical applications for quantum computing and will be able to generate unique data for use with artificial intelligence.

time to read

1 min

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

NHRC NOTICE TO 3 STATES’ DGPs OVER ATTACK ON JOURNOS

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India, on Wednesday, took suo motu cognisance of reported attacks on three journalists in Kerala, Manipur, and Tripura.

time to read

1 min

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

Women in focus as Tejashwi vows job security, salary hike

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav announced on Wednesday that all contractual workers engaged in various Bihar government departments and around 200,000 \"community mobilisers\" among \"Jeevika Didis\" would be made permanent, and given a monthly salary of ₹30,000, if the INDIA bloc comes to power in the upcoming assembly elections.

time to read

2 mins

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

'Mini secretariats': Construction kicks off in five districts

The Delhi government has stepped up work on “mini secretariats” in five districts across the city—a flagship initiative announced earlier this year by chief minister Rekha Gupta.

time to read

1 min

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

Rohingya case points to legal vacuum on refugees

True character is revealed not in comfort, but in crisis. And India has passed that test before.

time to read

3 mins

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

LOW WIND SPEEDS KEEP CAPITAL'S AIR 'VERY POOR'; RELIEF UNLIKELY

Delhi's air quality remained \"very poor\" for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, deteriorating marginally as wind speeds dropped again.

time to read

1 min

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

IT ministry tightens rules for online content removal

The government has introduced new procedural safeguards to content takedown rules, restricting the power to senior officials and mandating reasoned orders with monthly reviews.

time to read

2 mins

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

Minors can, on reaching adulthood, cancel sale transactions made by guardians, says top court

The Supreme Court has ruled that minors, on attaining majority, can repudiate sale transactions executed by their guardians without the court's permission, and it is not mandatory for them to move court to cancel such sales.

time to read

3 mins

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times

Why this season is looking very good for Arsenal so far

Gyökeres ends barren run with a brace as Gunners continue good run by dismantling Atletico

time to read

3 mins

October 23, 2025

Hindustan Times

Private sector can help address urban flooding

The torrential rains across India this monsoon once again exposed the deep vulnerabilities of its cities.

time to read

4 mins

October 23, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size