Count on India, Make It Count

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Count on India, Make It Count

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• Caste is India: It is an accepted fact that caste is the universal basis of Indian society, cutting across all other divides (religion, region, economic, linguistic). Affirmative action (reservations) are based on caste. But the last caste census was in 1931, not later.
• Data, evidence, policy: Without rigorous, correct, latest data, policymaking remains flawed. And on caste, India has no authentic data today. A large multi-party delegation asked the Indian PM in August 2021 to conduct a caste-based census, pan-India. (many regional parties may be assuming that a higher OBC number may brighten their regional chances)
• BJP fears: The fear of BJP is that a whole new debate will open up, as it did after the Mandal Report was accepted in 1989 (by then PM VP Singh). Many caste groups will start faulting each other, once new numbers emerge (this is a fear).
• Benefits of Caste Census: 

1. True social justice - When India adopted SC/ST reservations from 1950s, it was in good faith, as all data were available, and none of the castes involved were a political force. The nation wanted to help them genuinely. Similarly, today also many new groups may emerge in the new census, who can be helped.
2. Privileged in the reserved - Only latest data can prove if truly the benefits of reservations have been captured by a "creamy layer", by just a few sub-castes, and some regional groups. Very little data is available for economically weaker sections (EWS) too.
3. Right political groupings - A lot of data on political social groupings is provided today by psephologists, which is then used by political parties. The Lingayat's numbers were being claimed at 18% in Karnataka (extrapolated from 1931 census), but when the ex- CM Siddharamaiah got actual counting done, it was just 12%. (Some claim that Mr Mandal over-estimated OBCs by 10%, let it be checked)
4. Helping those who are out of mainstream - There are backwards in Indian Muslims and Christians too! That's because of their deeprooted caste identities. Their faith hasn't changed it. Centuries of oppression forced many in lower castes to convert away from Hinduism. They must get reservation benefits now. (and so should the LGBTQ groups, which is beyond even caste)
5. Today's India will be known - A latest census will help find what is the profile of modern India. Experience suggests urban Indians regularly do inter-caste marriages. Caste is less important, socio-economic profile is more. AAP showed the power of post-caste politics, and BJP that of unified Hindu politics. But there's no rigorous data at all.

• Summary: Let the government take the plunge, and order a caste census. Let India know herself more fully. It will strengthen her, not weaken her.

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