India's population census - demand for Caste Enumeration

Demands for detailed caste-based enumeration during Census 2021 are rising.

India's population census - demand for Caste Enumeration

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• The story: In India, caste-based benefits are available to certain groups, viz., the SCs (Scheduled Castes) and STs (Scheduled Tribes). But there are other groups (OBCs etc.) that too get some government benefits. However, their numbers are not made public, as gathered in the decadal census.
• Demands: In July, the government indicated it will not, as a matter of policy, enumerate the caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in Census. But the demands for caste-based census are constantly intensifying. Various groups claim that once the exact details are known, Indians will come to know of the relative sizes of different groups in India, and their influence too (proportionate or disproportionate).
• Nature of caste data: Every census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but not on other castes. Before that, every Census until 1931 had data on different castes. In 1941, caste-based data was collected but not published. In the absence of a caste-based census, there is no proper estimate for the population of OBCs, various groups within the OBCs, and others, though reservations are provided.
• Some estimates: The Mandal Commission estimated the OBC population at 52%, and some other estimates have been based on National Sample Survey data. Political parties make their own estimates during elections, and allot tickets accordingly. These estimates often are not wrong!
• NCBC's stand: The demands for caste-based census come up before almost every Census, usually from those belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other deprived sections. Sections from the upper castes oppose the idea. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) too recently urged the government to collect data on the population of OBCs “as part of Census of India 2021 exercise.”
• Modi government's stand: The Union of India after independence, decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste wise population other than SCs and STs. But in 2018, it was stated, “It is also envisaged to collect data on OBC for the first time.” This was following a meeting chaired by Home Minister that reviewed preparations for Census 2021, but nothing moved ahead.
• Present gaps: There is a Central list of OBCs and State-specific list of OBCs, although some states do not it. Some have a list of OBCs and a sub-set called Most Backward Classes (MBCs). There are certain open-ended categories in the lists such as orphans and destitute children. Names of some castes are found in both the list of Scheduled Castes and list of OBCs. Scheduled Castes converted to Christianity or Islam are also treated differently in different States. The status of a migrant from one State to another and the status of children of inter-caste marriages, in terms of caste classification, are also contentious.
• SECC data: With similar demands, the earlier UPA government decided to go for a full-fledged Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC). It was conducted at a cost of Rs.4,800 crore by (i) the Ministry of Rural Development in rural areas, and (ii) the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation in urban areas.

1. The SECC data excluding caste data was finalised and published by the two ministries in 2016. The raw caste data was handed over to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. This formed an Expert Group under former NITI Aayog Vice-Chairperson Arvind Pangaria. It was tasked to classify and categorise the data. No one knows what happened next!

• Summary: This time round, the demand is clear: castes must be enumerated as part of Census 2021 itself, not later, and all data must be made public.

 

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