The Centre’s decision to include caste enumeration in the upcoming general census marks a significant and politically charged shift in national policy. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs approved the measure, triggering a fierce political tussle between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties.
While the move is officially framed as a step toward data-driven governance and social equity, the timing and political context strongly suggest that electoral calculations—rather than social justice—were the driving force behind the decision. The announcement comes just months ahead of key state elections, notably in Bihar, a state where caste identity has historically played a central role in political mobilisation and voter alignment. The announcement, therefore, cannot be divorced from the broader political landscape. In recent months, the opposition—particularly the Congress party—has made caste census a centrepiece of its political agenda. Party leader Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly demanded a comprehensive caste census, arguing that meaningful social justice cannot be achieved without knowing the exact population of different caste groups, particularly the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
By preempting this demand, the BJP has deftly neutralised one of the Congress's most potent electoral planks. Almost immediately after the announcement, the Congress claimed the move as a victory for Rahul Gandhi’s advocacy, asserting that it was his relentless pressure that forced the government's hand. BJP leaders, however, were quick to downplay the opposition’s role, attempting to reframe the narrative as a proactive decision by the Centre. Yet, it is clear that the BJP’s change in stance is less ideological and more strategic, aimed at outmanoeuvering the opposition and strengthening its position among OBC voters ahead of the polls. This is not the first time caste has emerged as a pivotal electoral issue. In 2023, the Bihar government, under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, conducted a state-level caste survey that revealed nearly 84% of the population belongs to the SC, ST, or OBC categories. The survey was hailed as a progressive step and heightened national attention on caste demographics. It also sparked demands in other states for similar data, increasing the pressure on the Centre to follow suit. With regional parties and the Congress using the Bihar data to push for greater caste-based representation, the BJP risked being seen as obstructing social justice if it continued to oppose a national caste census.
Thus, what we are witnessing is not merely a policy shift but a politically expedient manoeuvre. The BJP’s decision is a classic case of political containment: adopting your opponent’s agenda to blunt its electoral edge. While the inclusion of caste in the census could have significant implications for public policy, the manner and timing of its announcement indicate that political pressure—not principle—was the primary motivator. In a democracy, policy decisions should ideally be rooted in long-term vision and public interest. But in this case, the Centre's move appears to be more about winning elections than advancing equity.
