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.
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%.
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- 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.
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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)
- Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.
- 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) |
October 3, 2023
