Why is it in the news?

• Andhra Pradesh recently initiated a caste census, following in the footsteps of Bihar, to comprehensively enumerate all communities in the state.
• The method involves deploying the village secretariat system and volunteers for data collection.

Arguments for a Caste Census

• Effective Governance: A caste census provides a comprehensive picture of India’s caste composition, aiding in effective governance by including marginalized communities and sub-castes.
• Tracking Progress: The absence of official data hinders tracking progress in affirmative action, addressing caste-based discrimination, and allocating resources effectively.
• Certainty in Policy Making: Lack of clarity on the progress of various caste groups impedes effective policy formulations.
• Social Justice: A caste census enables better targeting of affirmative action programs, addressing persistent discrimination and extending welfare schemes to overlooked castes.
• Resource Allocation: It facilitates equitable distribution of resources based on the needs of different caste groups.
• Social Reforms: Data-driven evidence supports social reform initiatives aimed at addressing caste-based disparities.

Arguments Against a Caste Census

• Social Division: Critics argue that a caste census could solidify caste identities, exacerbate tensions, and lead to renewed claims of dominance and hierarchy.
• Unconstitutional: Some argue that states conducting a caste census violate constitutional provisions, as the Union Government has the sole right to conduct a census.
• Data Misuse: Concerns exist about potential misuse of caste census data for political gains or discrimination against certain caste groups.
• New Issues: The survey data may reignite debates over the 50% ceiling on reservations imposed by the Supreme Court.
• Logistical Challenges: Conducting a nationwide caste census is a complex and expensive undertaking, requiring careful planning and implementation.
• Alternative Data Sources: Some argue that existing databases and surveys can provide sufficient data on caste and socioeconomic conditions.

Way Forward

• Caste data is crucial for understanding the labour market, wealth inequality, and policy scheme implementation.
• Rather than politicizing the caste census, every political party should embrace the idea to ensure the welfare of the most marginalized sections of the citizens.