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Caste Census in Bihar: Unveiling Social Realities | PWOnlyIAS 2023

Caste Census in Bihar: Unveiling Social Realities | PWOnlyIAS 2023

Context:

Relevancy for Prelims: Caste Census in Bihar, Bihar Caste Survey Report 2023

Relevancy for Mains: Bihar Caste Survey Report 2023, implications of Caste Census in Bihar, Caste-Based Political Strategies, Mandal Commission Report (1980), and Karpoori formula in Bihar. 

About Caste Census in Bihar

  • Caste Demographics: The survey will provide precise data on Dalits and Backward Classes including education levels, living standards, and occupations.

Development Policies: Data on dependents, caste diversity, etc. will assist the state government in framing effective development policies.

Caste census

Other findings on Caste Census in Bihar

  • Religious demographics: 82 percent of population identifies as Hindu, while 17.7 per cent follow Islam. Christianity, Buddhism, and other religions constitute smaller fractions. 
    • The distribution points to the persistent disparities and the need for targeted policies to uplift marginalised groups.

What are the implications of Caste Census in Bihar?

  • Change in Caste-Based Political Strategies: Bihar’s political landscape has long relied on caste-based alliances and tactics to secure votes.
    • With the new data, parties will need to recalibrate their outreach and policies to cater to specific caste groups.
  • Targeted policies for social justice: The substantial presence of SCs, EBCs, STs, and Mahadalits underscores the urgent need for policies promoting social justice and economic empowerment.
  • Addressing Challenges: Political parties and policymakers will be pressured to address the challenges faced by these communities, including access to education, employment, and representation. 
  • Justice Rohini Commission Implementation: It will facilitate the central government in implementing the recommendations of the Justice Rohini Commission for sub-categorization within OBCs (quota within quota).

Also read: NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR BACKWARD CLASSES

Mandal Commission Report (1980)

  • OBC Population estimate: It estimated the OBC population at 52% and classified 1,257 communities as backward.
  • Increase in quota: It recommended increasing the existing quotas, which were only for SC/ST, from 22.5% to 49.5% to include the OBCs.
    • A decade later, its recommendations were implemented in government jobs.
  • Quota for EBCs: The P V Narasimha Rao government in 1991 introduced a 10% quota for the economically backward classes(EBC) among the forward castes.

Indra Sawhney vs Union of India case (1993):

  • The Supreme Court struck this down in this case.
  •  It held that the Constitution recognized only social and educational and not economic backwardness.
  • The apex court, however, held reservation for OBCs as valid and directed that the creamy layer of OBC (those earning over a specified income) should not avail reservation facilities.
  • The overall reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs was capped at 50%. 
  • Recalibration of reservation quotas: There is growing pressure to recalibrate reservation quotas to ensure equitable representation for marginalised communities.
  • Pan-India level caste Census: The findings will influence national discourse on the need for a comprehensive caste census at the pan-India level.
  • Increase in demand for reservation: EBCs constitute 36 percent of the population while currently they are being given 18 percent reservation in jobs.
    •  OBCs, at 27 percent, are currently being given 12 percent reservation. 
    • There is a provision for 30 percent for EBC and OBC together in Bihar, whereas according to caste-based calculation, their population is at 63 percent.
    • The issue of reservation is likely to gain greater urgency, and there will be mounting pressure to raise the reservation percentage. 
Karpoori formula in Bihar

  • Out of the total reservation implemented in Bihar in 1978,  12 percent was earmarked for the “extremely backward” and 8 percent reservation for the “backward”. 
  • This provision of reservation — quota within quota — is called the Karpoori formula.

Conclusion

The latest data on Caste census in Bihar provides a comprehensive picture of caste identities, however it is necessary to ensure that this information should be used constructively for targeted development rather than misused for identity-based politics.

Attempt the PY Prelims Question:

Consider the following statements: (2009)

  1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.
  2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

 

Attempt the Mains Question: Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static?

 

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Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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