Caste Census & its Consciousness

Caste Census & its Consciousness

Recent debates surrounding the inclusion of caste in Census have served to crystallise the competing narratives about social stratification in Indian society. One side holds that historical fault lines along caste, tribe and religious lines persist and may well have been aggravated in modern India; the other side asserts that, while caste remains an important dimension of modern social life, its relevance is mostly limited to selection of marriage partners and has little importance in shaping material inequalities. Let us examine the relevance and complexities in conducting a caste census through the annals of censuses, its relevance and contemporaneity. The research paper aims to delve into the historical evolution and sociopolitical implications of caste census in India, tracing its journey from the colonial era's first-ever census in 1881 to the most recent census in 2011. Focusing on the caste survey in Bihar, the paper explores the motivations and political agendas behind this initiative and its potential impact on other states and the central government. The study critically analyse the positions of major political parties, ranging from left to right-wing ideologies, in their advocacy for or opposition to caste census, shedding light on the tussle for legitimacy in the realm of social justice and reservation policies.

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