Rising Demand for a Caste Census
The demand for a caste census has gained momentum, driven by opposition leaders, NGOs, and even the RSS.
Proponents argue that a caste census will provide a clearer picture of caste demographics, allowing for a more proportionate share in government jobs, land, and wealth.
Critics, however, argue that a caste census could exacerbate social divisions and encourage further politicization of caste, instead of addressing core socio-economic challenges.
Historical Background of Caste Census
The caste census in India was first conducted in 1871, though it faced significant challenges in classification and understanding caste dynamics.
During the British colonial period, caste groups were categorized based on arbitrary and simplistic parameters, with broad categories such as "Brahmins," "Rajputs," or even vague groups like "labourers" or "outcastes."
The 1931 Census identified 4,147 castes, but caste groups often claimed different identities in various regions.
The 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) had over 46.7 lakh castes, with 8.2 crore errors, demonstrating the challenges of accurate data collection on caste.
Challenges in Gathering Accurate Data
Upward and Downward Caste Mobility:
Instances of upward caste mobility, where lower-caste groups attempt to claim higher status for better opportunities,
Downward caste mobility, where higher-caste individuals seek benefits by claiming a lower status, continue to be a concern.
Instances of caste mobility, both upward and downward, can lead to discrepancies in the census data, as seen between the 1921 and 1931 censuses.
Caste Misclassification
Similar-sounding castes or surnames cause confusion. For example, "Dhanak" may be classified as SC, while "Dhanka" is ST
Misclassifications can occur during the census process due to enumerators’ lack of awareness, biases, or misjudgments, as well as the reluctance of individuals to disclose their caste status.
Additionally, caste remains a sensitive subject, and some people may avoid openly discussing or revealing their caste, leading to potential inaccuracies in the data.
Proportional Representation and Its Flaws
The concept of proportional representation in caste-based reservations sounds fair but is practically flawed.
For example, assuming the average population of each caste is 2.3 lakh, the least populous caste in India would need around 1,40,845 positions to secure a single reserved vacancy.
Larger castes that form a significant part of the population would occupy most of the reserved seats, while smaller castes would struggle to access these opportunities.
This disproportionately excludes smaller groups from receiving benefits.
Regressiveness of Caste-based Proportional Reservations
Proportional representation at the individual caste level would become regressive due to practical and fairness issues.
Focusing on caste numbers for reservations could entrench caste-based identities in the public sphere, reinforcing caste-based politics rather than moving towards a more inclusive society
The emphasis on caste census and reservations risks overshadowing more effective, structural reforms to address the root causes of inequality, such as economic, educational, and healthcare disparities.
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