The BJP-led central government has announced that caste enumeration will be included in the upcoming national Census, marking the first such exercise since 1931. The decision, taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on 30 April, has caught opposition parties by surprise and is set to reshape the political narrative ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections later this year.
Why Now? Context and Timing
- The announcement follows years of opposition demands, especially from Bihar, where caste identity and reservation are central to politics.
- The timing-just days after the Pahalgam terror attack-has led analysts to suggest the government is leveraging a surge in nationalism to soften potential backlash and shift the focus from opposition demands to its own initiative.
- BJP’s move is seen as an attempt to reclaim the OBC/EBC voter base and neutralise the opposition’s campaign plank, especially as the NDA lost ground among these groups in the last Bihar and national elections.
Political Reactions and Local Impact
- RJD: Welcomed the move but demanded the removal of the 50% reservation cap, stressing that census data must lead to increased representation.
- BJP: Leaders now claim support for caste surveys, despite earlier opposition, and frame the decision as a commitment to social justice.
- Congress: Called the move a “belated U-turn” and credited its own persistent demands for the shift, but faces the loss of a key campaign issue.
- JD(U): Seeks credit for initiating Bihar’s own caste survey, but must now align with the Centre’s narrative.
Practical Implications for Bihar
- For voters: OBC/EBC communities, who make up 63% of Bihar’s population, may reconsider which party best represents their interests as reservation policy becomes the new battleground.
- For policymakers: Administrators face the challenge of reconciling Bihar’s state survey data with the forthcoming national census, which may cause policy confusion.
- For political campaigns: The debate is likely to shift from census demands to the implementation of reservation and social justice policies.
Actionable Takeaway: Bihar residents should stay informed about how caste data will be used to shape reservation, welfare, and political representation policies in the coming months.
