THE CASTE CENSUS DEBATE IN INDIA

Syllabus:

  • GS-1– Caste census in India , implications , social justice , welfare of vulnerable sections

Focus :

  • The article focuses on the implications of conducting a caste-based Census in India, analyzing its potential impact on national integration, social cohesion, and the pursuit of a casteless society. It highlights historical instances, concerns of political and social fragmentation, and presents arguments both for and against the exercise. The article concludes by advocating for measures that promote a casteless society, aligning with constitutional principles.
Source-HT

Introduction

  • Various surveys conducted in the recent past show that the caste politics are still prevalent to some extent in most of the rural areas of India and in many cases even the factor of development is overshadowed by them.
  • This observation alone gives one an idea that affirmative action as strategy to eliminate caste identities in India even at decades of independence has not been effective.
  • The caste Census is still a distant possibility, though political leaders and regional political parties have started demanding Census on the basis of a caste.
  • Nonetheless, some issues regarding social relations and cohesion, as well as concept of nationhood have been raised concerning this procedural change.

Arguments in favour of caste system :

  • Shaping Government Policies: They say that a caste Census would be useful for the actual numbers that the government has to work when formulating polices to meet goal and objectives of various social classes.
  • Better Resource Allocation: A caste based Census would serve the purpose to address this issue because it will make provisions and resources for the deserving and needy people.
  • Promoting Inclusivity: People who subscribe to this concept argue that the level of representation by different castes can be determined and quantified by the government hence dedicating efforts toward the changes.
  • Increasing Political Representation: It may be possible to comprehend the structure of collective statuses through the data received during the caste Census, intending to promote the groups’ representation in political decision-making.

Apprehensions on Caste Census

  • Historical Lessons: Comparing with the previous Census during the British rule the author establishes correlation with the inclusion of religion.
  • This led to the formation of the two separate electorates which further intensify communal polarisation and played a role in the partition of India.
  • Aggravation of Social Differences: Its impact on the society may be constructive changing the caste-based rigid structure in Census to destructive facilitating casteism, identity politics, and social segregation that might harm the unity of India.
  • Threat to Social Fabric: It could undo all the work that has been done over the years towards the formulation of a new caste system that shattered the social structure of India for ever.
  • Undermining National Integration: A caste based Census may not help in the desirable process of the integration and unity of the nation as there are several ways and means through which caste system is encouraged.
  • Contradiction to Constitutional Mandate: The exercise violates the constitutional provision of free of caste system, and is likely to be counterproductive to the Supreme Court’s ruling that people should not be labelled by their caste.
Caste Census in Indian Context: A Historical Perspective

  • The caste Census can be traced back to colonial period from the Census of the year 1881. The British utilised it for analysing India’s social growth along with other ends like administrative like delimitation.
  • Case Study of Jammu and Kashmir: The fact this was expressed in the 1911 Census in Jammu and Kashmir shed light into the stark disparities in education achievements of this particular minority, namely the Kashmiri Pandits that constituted only 8% of the population of the state and the rest. This resulted in disgruntle and anti-maharaja occurrences proving how categorization such as those by the Census can cause social unrest.

The Shift in Significance of Caste in the Contemporary Indian Society

  • Urban Youth and Caste: In the present gen in India, especially in city areas, most of the youth are not conscious of lineage type which is their caste. Inter-caste marriages are on the rise and many of the young people from the urban areas are not even aware of their caste orientation.
  • Census and Identity Reinforcement: The Government sleeping at the wheels and if a caste-based Census is conducted it would compel the youth to stick to the existing castes and the more this would continue we would be far away from the casteless society.
  • The Argument for a Casteless Society: The author of the article under discussion raises the concern as to why caste should be counted in Census, trying to point out that the key aim should be the creation of the society where the caste issue does not exist at all.

Suggested Solutions to a Caste Based Census

  • Creating a Casteless Society: There should be an attempt made in changing the society so that caste is not a significant factor at all.
  • This includes raising the awareness among the youths to abandon the so called caste system and celebrating inter caste marriages.
  • Removing Caste Categories from Government Forms: Government forms should also have an option like ‘NONE’, or any sort of option under which people can refuse to state their caste.
  • Strengthening Anti-Discrimination Measures: The energy and time should be put towards rejecting caste identification and towards strengthening provisions against discrimination across castes.
  • Constitutional Mandate for a Casteless Society: The caste system is condemned in India constitution and its provisions seek to disapprove the same. Such a Census is bound to have an effect to this constitutional goal of eradicating untouchability/ making untouchability unconstitutional since it would perpetuate castes.

Conclusion:

  • Caste system as we all know is one of the most prevalent social evils of Indian society, a trait which remains in Indian society even today, and thus is very important to bring changes in the structure of the caste system so that we can move towards a casteless society.
  • Need for Unity and Integration: When various anti-social elements are trying to dismantle the society by making caste as the dividing factor in the Indian society, there is a dire need for eradicating caste barriers.
  • Collective Effort Required: Thus, it can be ascertained that through concerted efforts of the few representative government, civil society and educated citizens, a sense of unity needs to be created to rise above the caste prejudices with the spirit of the constitution to make India a united nation.
  • Focus on Future Generations: Particular emphasis should be made on raising young people to those purposes by making them overcome the prejudices of caste systems and for the sake of progressive society based on equality and social justice.

Mains UPSC Question GS 1

Examine the potential social, political, and economic implications of conducting a caste-based Census in India. Discuss the arguments for and against the exercise, drawing upon historical examples and contemporary societal dynamics. What alternative measures can be considered to promote a casteless society? (250 words)