Despite pressure from BJP's own NDA allies and the opposition, the Centre had shelved the idea for now of going in for a caste census. During the recent Monsoon Session of Parliament, the chorus for caste census resurfaced. It was strengthened by the draft proposal of Justice G. Rohini commission, recommending sub-categorization of the Other Backward Classes.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had announced in Parliament in July that the government has no intention of carrying out a caste census. While India's decadal census has consistently recorded the population of Dalits and Adivasis, it has never counted OBCs since 1931.

Since 1950, the government has reserved jobs, college admissions, and elected seats - from village councils to the Parliament - for Dalits and Adivasis. This was to rectify historical wrongs that have denied them equal opportunities for the weaker sections.

Politically, caste undeniably is an essential tool in India. It plays a crucial role in every Indian election, from the village panchayats to the Parliament. So there is no surprise that several political parties have intensified demand for a caste-based census. The Samajwadi Party (S.P.) in UP and the J.D. (U) in Bihar and the DMK in Tamil Nadu have been most vocal in raising the demand for the caste enumeration eyeing OBCs votes.

The supporters of the caste census insist that it will justify the weaker among the OBCs. The government, too, would benefit from the enumeration of the caste census for the programmes. For instance, Bihar chief minister and an NDA ally Nitish Kumar met Modi along with a delegation of all parties. Kumar argues that the census will help better formulate and implement schemes for different social groups' welfare. Secondly, there would be clarity over the percentage of the OBC population. Decades ago, The Mandal Commission estimated it about 52 percent.

Significantly, in the past few years, several OBC groups have been seeking reservations. This includes the Marathas in Maharashtra, Patidars in Gujarat, Gurjars in Rajasthan, Kapus in Andhra and the Jats in Haryana.

The poll bound UP next year is a big prize for the BJP and other regional parties. The chorus grows with other tiny regional outfits, including Anupriya Patel's Apna Dal (Sonal), vocally supporting him.

Why is the BJP reluctant for a caste census that too when it has mobilized many smaller OBC groups? The BJP has argued that it would lead to the perpetuation of caste identities. It fears it might lead to a messy situation similar to when the V P Singh government implemented the Mandal Commission report during its short tenure.. There were agitations because it granted 27% reservation to OBCs in central government jobs and educational institutions.

Secondly, and more importantly, the BJP apprehends that a caste census might harm its goal of uniting Hindus. It is significant that amongst the numerous opponents of a caste census is Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent organization of the ruling BJP. The BJP and the RSS wants to consolidate the Hindus. A caste count could cause fissures in the Hindu vote, which the BJP has assiduously reduced in recent years.

The BJP also apprehends that the subsequent demand will be the fair share of resources in proportion to their numerical strength. Former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav is known for his slogan "jiski jitni sankhya bhari, uski utni hissedari" The share in resources should be proportionate to the community’s numerical strength). This may be followed by a need for overturning the Supreme Court's direction that the reservation cannot exceed fifty percent in Parliament.

The party has recently got legislation passed giving states the right to change castes in the OBC category in Parliament. The UP government has included 39 new castes in the OBC category.

No doubt there is a case for caste census but when the country is facing too many problems, including Covid and sliding economy, this is not the time to raise another controversial and passionate issue like caste census. If nothing, they can raise the passions among the people.

The Modi government was wise in postponing it. There are indeed other ways of getting votes.(IPA Service)