Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?

The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data

- Anand Teltumbde

THE caste census appears to have gained traction, overcoming all hurdles at least at the level of political statements. Even traditionally opposing forces like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), known for their data phobia, seem to have aligned in favour. Mandal parties were always for it. The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) parties were indifferent as they are already being counted for the last seven decades without any impact on their worsening condition. The demand received a major fillip from the main opposition party, the Congress, after the metamorphosis of its leader Rahul Gandhi post his Bharat Jodo Yatras. Metamorphosis in more than one sense; he has realised better than any leader what the plight of common people in India is, and that the country needs to change gears from its capital-centric policies towards empowerment of the masses. Unfortunately, he is stuck in the current framework of social (caste) justice without recognising its role in sustaining the system he criticises. Of course, given his background, one cannot expect him to sublimate to the radical plane to be a harbinger of revolution.

Weaponising Social Justice

Politicians have often simplified the complex issue of caste by conflating it with social justice. After effectively using caste-based reservations as a political tool, they now seek to forge new weapons out of caste resources such as sub-categorisation. Caste census also is one such stratagem.

This approach is partly a consequence of India's first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system, which amplifies small vote segments and influences election outcomes.