Will caste-based surveys lead to both inclusion, exclusion?
The Bihar government has conducted this exercise with unstinted resolve — a task which could not be done by other state governments. But others will follow, and we will be swamped with figures of relative strength of castes.
In the affidavit before the High Court (CWJC No.5542 of 2023), the state government has stated that the caste-based survey is for the upliftment of the downtrodden and marginalised. They claimed it will be for an affirmative action since upliftment of backward communities needs empirical data to include communities which require a helping hand and exclude communities which have been enjoying reservation and whose general social, educational and fiscal conditions have improved over the years.
It is unusual that the Patna High Court in its order (dt.01-08-2023) praised the exercise, stating that “it has a definite aim of bringing forth development schemes for the identified backward classes/groups. The caste status sought to be collated is not intended at taxing, branding, labelling or ostracising individuals or groups; but it is to identify the economic, educational and other social aspects of different communities/classes/ groups, which require action by the state for its upliftment.”
But this caste data will lead to a renewed assertion of the majority for greater share in reservations in public employment and education.
There are already influential voices who argue for proportional representation in public service. There will be demands for increasing reservations for OBCs from the current 27% to 50% in the name of social justice.
I fear revisiting the Mandal agitation all over again.
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