In a groundbreaking revelation, the Bihar government unveiled the ‘Bihar Caste-based Survey 2022’ on October 2, providing a deep dive into the intricate web of caste dynamics within the state. With nearly 63% of the 13-crore population belonging to the extremely backward classes (EBCs) and other backward classes (OBCs), Bihar stands as a testament to the complexities of caste politics in India.
The Long Journey Towards Caste Enumeration
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The journey towards this extensive caste survey wasn’t without its challenges. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a member of the OBC Kurmi caste, initiated the demand for a caste survey in 2019. The Bihar legislature unanimously passed resolutions in favor of a caste census in 2019 and 2020. However, when the Union government declined to conduct a caste-wise census, the Bihar government took matters into its own hands, allocating ₹500 crore from its contingency fund for the exercise. The meticulous two-phase counting exercise concluded in August 2022, involving a staggering 2.64 lakh enumerators who painstakingly documented details of 29 million registered households.
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Unearthing Caste Realities
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The survey revealed that EBCs, comprised of 112 castes, constitute the largest segment of the population in the state, with a commanding 36.01% share. OBCs, consisting of 29 castes, follow closely with a substantial 27.12% share. Among the OBCs, the Yadavs emerged as the dominant caste, with a share of 14.26%. The Scheduled Castes accounted for 19.65% of the population, while the unreserved general category constituted 15.52%.
Implications for Reservations
The survey results are expected to have a profound impact on reservation policies in Bihar. As per the population proportions revealed in the survey, the reservation quota in the state is likely to be recalibrated. RJD chief Lalu Prasad stated, “Jiski jitni bhagedari, utni hissedari” (Greater the population, greater the share). However, the opposition BJP dismissed the survey as “fake and faulty,” raising concerns about its accuracy.
The caste survey report has also reignited the debate over the 50% ceiling on reservations imposed by the Supreme Court. With general elections looming, political dynamics are shifting, with the BJP’s hopes to capitalize on the Women’s Reservation Act facing challenges. The Congress has already called for OBC reservation within the women’s quota, leaving the BJP in a quandary.
Read more:
- Nitish Kumar’s Caste Survey Gamble: A High-Stakes Political Strategy – Journey into the political maneuvers and strategies of Bihar’s Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, as he navigates the labyrinth of caste dynamics.
- “Supreme Court Upholds Bihar’s Caste Survey, Sets Precedent for Policy Decisions” – Gain a deeper understanding of the legal dimensions surrounding the Bihar caste survey and its implications for state autonomy.
- “How Bihar’s Caste Survey Could Shape the Electoral Landscape” – Explore the potential electoral outcomes of Bihar’s caste survey and its ramifications on the political spectrum.
- “How Bihar Caste Survey Could Be Nitish Kumar’s Last Roll of the Dice” – Uncover the intricate interplay between caste dynamics, politics, and Nitish Kumar’s survival in the state’s political arena.
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