NB Explains | Bihar's caste survey report released- A boon or bane?

Patna, Oct 3: The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar released findings of its much-awaited caste survey months on Monday ahead of the 2024 parliamentary election. This has now triggered a controversy.

 

The caste-based survey, also known as the Bihar Jaati Adharit Ganana, was initiated by the Nitish Kumar-led government in January this year.

 

 

 

1. The report revealed that the backward class constituted 27 % of the population, while the extremely backward class make up 36 %. Scheduled Castes (SCs) accounted for slightly more than 19 % and Scheduled Tribes (STs) 1.68 %. The general category formed 15.52 % of Bihar's population.

 

2. Yadavs, the community which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs to, is the largest sub-group and formed 14 % of the state's total population, followed by Brahmins 3.66 %, Musahars 3 %, Kurmis 2.87 % (Nitish Kumar belongs to this caste) and Bhumihars 2.86 %.

 

 

3. The Bihar caste-based survey is the first such exercise since India became independent in 1947. The last such caste census was conducted way back in 1931, in the pre-Independence era. The first caste census was conducted by the British in 1881.

 

4. The caste-based survey was initiated with the aim of uplifting backward communities and ensuring better implementation of welfare schemes. The Nitish Kumar-led government maintained that the survey was crucial for social justice.

 

5. Speaking about the caste-based survey, PM Modi said at Gwalior, "They [Opposition] played with emotions of the poor back then...and even today they are playing the same game. Earlier they divided the country in the name of caste... and today they are committing the same sin. Earlier they were guilty of corruption... and today they are even more corrupt."

  

 

6. Despite the legal hurdles, the Supreme Court refused to entertain pleas against the survey and the Patna High Court ruled that the exercise was valid and legal.

 

 

7. Significantly, the results of the caste-based survey in Bihar come months before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will be held. The survey's results could potentially reshape the political landscape in Bihar, a state dominated by political parties such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal (United) (JDU) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The votes of the OBCs are crucial for these parties in a state that sends 40 MPs to Parliament.

 

8. By providing a clearer picture of the state's caste demographics, the survey could influence party strategies and policies, particularly those related to social justice and welfare. Interestingly, this report is the key agenda of the Opposition INDIA bloc, which may well help the alliance in the forthcoming elections in the Hindi heartland states and in the run-up to next year's parliamentary polls.

9. There have been calls from the Opposition parties, including the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP), for a nationwide caste census. The Opposition view it as a crucial tool to combat the ruling BJP, which opposes the practice.