Making Sense of Caste Census

Dr Suresh Mathew Dr Suresh Mathew
30 Aug 2021

The call to enumerate caste in the Census may be seen as a step backward in modern India. It could be labeled as an ambitious assertion of vote bank politics. But the protracted demand from various quarters for a ‘caste Census’ should be seen in the background of a caste-entrenched society we live in. In a country where ‘if you scratch a person, caste comes out’, it would be naïve to hold that caste does not matter. It is the caste hierarchy that still calls the shots though efforts to demolish it have seen some success. A proper enumeration of castes alone would bring out the real scenario. This emerging picture would give a better vision to the decision-makers in policy formulation without succumbing to pressure groups. 

The last caste census took place under the British in 1931, making the nine-decade-old data out-dated for all purposes. Census in Independent India has provision for enumerating SCs and STs, but categories like OBCs are not counted separately. Hence the Mandal Commission recommendation of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs could be way off the mark from their percentage of population. There is a perceivable discrepancy with regard to the ratio of reservation as some get it as per their population, but others do not. So long as reservation stays in the annals of the Constitution, it has to be enforced justly. Law of equality should not be made to stand on its head. 

Despite tall claims of annihilation of caste-based discrimination, such talks verge on verbosity without any significant impact. Caste remains a source of social prejudice and economic deprivation though its depth and extent have come down. Without an up-to-date data on caste, implementation of caste-based reservation will suffer from many shortcomings. The core idea behind reservation is to give adequate representation to the disadvantaged sections in education and jobs. Adequate representation cannot be implemented unless it is based on a reasonably accurate data on each class/caste in the total population. Any undue favour to a class or caste over and above its proportion to total population would lead to resentment. The same is true if reservation, in proportion to their population, is denied due to lack of availability of data.

Reservation should be based on verifiable evidence and the best way to gather this evidence is Census. Caste-based Census is not merely a counting of the number of people of a particular caste. It will also give data on educational level, economic status, occupation, etc. which will give a better understanding about a caste. Undue beneficiaries of the caste-based reservation have much to fear from caste enumeration as Census may give evidence that some castes are privileged enough to be out of reservation ambit. There is also an apprehension that the upper limit of reservation may go up, thereby shrinking the space for non-reserved categories. 

It is not our contention that reservation is a permanent solution to the social and economic backwardness of people. It is just the first step in this direction. The lasting solution can come from quality universal education, skill development, creation of job opportunities, creating social awareness on equality, etc. However, so long as reservation is kept live in the statute, its implementation should be based on accurate data rather than speculative one. 

Recent Posts

Authoritarianism thrives in polarised societies. Trump and Modi, driven by hate-based ideologies, have weaponised governance, eroded democracy, and entrenched division. Their actions, from media contr
apicture Mathew John
31 Mar 2025
"Trump's Search for Popularity through Trade Wars is like the Majoritarian Search for Popularity in India through Trading in Hatred, Anti-minority Slogans and Political Use of Religion: All these Lead
apicture Archbp Thomas Menamparampil
31 Mar 2025
If India truly wishes to emerge as a global leader, it must embrace an educational revolution—one that promotes inquiry over blind faith, innovation over dogma, and inclusion over exclusion. Only thro
apicture A. J. Philip
31 Mar 2025
The Syro-Malabar Church faces deep divisions over liturgical practices, leaving believers disillusioned and factionalism unresolved. True reconciliation demands prioritising mercy, unity, and clarity.
apicture Chacko Thomas
31 Mar 2025
Manipur reveals its breathtaking beauty and the profound suffering of its people amidst ethnic conflict. Displaced families endure hardship with resilience. Peace requires justice, inclusivity, and re
apicture Asha Thayyil
31 Mar 2025
The INDIA coalition emerged to counter rising authoritarianism that targets minorities and undermines democratic values in India. Strengthening this alliance, addressing internal contradictions, and u
apicture Ram Puniyani
31 Mar 2025
Excessive consumption of humorous memes and reels distracts millions, eroding attention spans and productivity. With billions of work hours lost annually, the nation risks lagging in education, innova
apicture Subbiah Sridhar
31 Mar 2025
The time to act is now before the rumbling of the bulldozer becomes the soundtrack of our silence. Before we wake up to find that justice, like the homes it once protected, has been reduced to rubble…
apicture Robert Clements
31 Mar 2025
Fr Xavier Vadakkekara is no more. A personality who inspired scores and mentored many is gone. He lived a life unlike many others. In death, too, he took a different path by donating his body to the A
apicture Marydasan John
24 Mar 2025
I was his collaborator in three of his successful initiatives and a few of his unsuccessful ventures. But to me, Capuchin friar Fr Xavier Vadekekkara was, first, a friend who knew I would understand h
apicture John Dayal
24 Mar 2025