Peoples Telangana

Caste Census: Foundation for Social Justice—Don't Let Political Promises Become Empty Rhetoric By T. Chiranjeevulu  IAS (Ret) , Founder and President BCIF (BC Intellectuals Forum) In the 79-year history of independent India, many critical issues have been debated. Land reforms, reservations, linguistically organised states, and economic reforms have shaped the nation's future. Yet one issue remains unresolved—one directly connected to social justice:  the caste census . Other backward classes (OBCs), who constitute the largest percentage of India's population, have demanded for decades that their actual population figures and socio-economic conditions be officially recorded. Yet political parties have used this issue as an election promise only to retreat once in power. The History of Caste Census Caste-based data collection in India is not new. British rulers initiated caste enumeration in the census from 1881 onward. The 1931 census was the last to comprehensive...

Nitin Pai’s argument against a caste census hinges on the fear that it will entrench caste identities, undermine fraternity, and divert India from development. While his concerns about caste consciousness are valid, his position overlooks the practical realities of India’s social structure and the necessity of data-driven policies to achieve the very constitutional values—liberty, equality, and fraternity—that he champions. A caste census, far from being a divisive tool, can be a critical step toward dismantling systemic inequalities and fostering a more inclusive national identity. 1. A Caste Census Does Not Inherently Reinforce Caste Consciousness Pai argues that counting castes will deepen divisions, citing historical British enumerations and social science evidence of group identity formation. However, this assumes that caste identities are dormant and only activated by enumeration. In reality, caste remains a pervasive force in Indian society, shaping access to resources, educat...

A recent critique has raised alarms about a proposed caste census in India, arguing it risks diverting the nation from development and undermining the Constitution’s foundational values. The claim suggests that such a census would entrench caste divisions, reinforcing their salience in society. However, this perspective is misguided. Far from being a threat, a caste census is a vital tool for advancing India’s development and upholding the Constitution’s commitment to equality and social justice. Aligning with Constitutional Mandates India’s Constitution is a transformative document, explicitly designed to address historical injustices and promote equality. Articles 15, 16, and 46 mandate affirmative action to uplift marginalized groups, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. These provisions recognize that caste has historically shaped access to resources, opportunities, and dignity. However, effective implementation of these constitutional guarantee...

In pre-colonial India, administrative surveys akin to what might be termed "Khanasumari" (or "Khānēsumārī," a Marathi/Kannada word for census-like counts) frequently included caste data, reflecting the integral role of caste in social and economic organization. While not as systematic or centralized as modern caste censuses (e.g., the British colonial census of 1931 or the planned 2027 Indian census), these surveys collected caste information to facilitate taxation, land revenue, labor allocation, and social hierarchy management. This article explores the historical evidence of caste data collection in pre-colonial India, particularly in the context of regional surveys that could be associated with the term "Khanasumari." Historical Context of Caste Data Collection Caste, encompassing both varna (the four-fold system of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra) and jati (specific sub-castes), was a cornerstone of pre-colonial Indian society, influencing occup...

In India, where caste silently dictates access to education, jobs, and dignity, the promise of a caste census in the 2027 national count has sparked a fragile hope. Trina Vithayathil, a sociologist and author of Counting Caste , sees a chance to chart the tangled web of caste, gender, and religion. Yet she warns that without ironclad transparency and accountability, the census could slip into India’s long tradition of “bureaucratic deflection”—a tactic to bury caste data and shield systemic inequities . Will 2027 finally confront caste head-on, or will it be another dodge in a decades-long game? A Breakthrough in Bihar Bihar’s 2023 caste survey offers a tantalizing glimpse of what data can do. Published in October and expanded a month later, it exposed deep disparities, spurring swift changes to reservation policies for marginalized groups. For advocates, it was a victory: evidence driving equity. But Vithayathil, in her book ( Counting Caste , Cambridge University Press, April 30, 202...

T.Chiranjeevulu, IAS Ret కేంద్ర ప్రభుత్వం 2025 ఏప్రిల్ 30న జనగణనలో కుల గణన చేపట్టాలని తీసుకున్న నిర్ణయం భారతదేశంలో సామాజిక న్యాయం కోసం ఒక చారిత్రక అడుగు. ఇది ఓబీసీల చిరకాల డిమాండ్‌ను నెరవేర్చడమే కాక, వెనుకబడిన కులాలకు న్యాయం అందించే దిశగా కొత్త అధ్యాయాన్ని సృష్టిస్తుంది. అయితే, ఈ కుల గణన పారదర్శకంగా, విశ్వసనీయంగా జరగాలంటే కొన్ని కీలక అంశాలను పరిగణనలోకి తీసుకోవాలి. ఈ వ్యాసంలో పారదర్శకత, విశ్వసనీయత కోసం అవసరమైన సూచనలను చర్చిస్తాం. కుల గణన యొక్క ప్రాముఖ్యత భారతదేశంలో కులం ఒక సామాజిక వాస్తవికత. ఇది వివక్ష, అణచివేతలకు కారణమవుతుంది. కుల గణన ద్వారా సామాజిక, ఆర్థిక వెనుకబాటుతనాన్ని గుర్తించి, సమస్యలకు పరిష్కారాలు చూపే అవకాశం ఉంది. ఇది ఓబీసీ రిజర్వేషన్ల సమీక్ష, ఉప-వర్గీకరణ, మానవ అభివృద్ధి సూచికల మెరుగుదలకు దోహదపడుతుంది. పారదర్శకత కోసం సూచనలు కుల గణన విజయవంతంగా, నమ్మకంగా జరగాలంటే కింది సూచనలు పాటించాలి: సెన్సస్ డిపార్ట్‌మెంట్ ఆధ్వర్యంలో నిర్వహణ కుల గణన సెన్సస్ డిపార్ట్‌మెంట్ ఆధ్వర్యంలో జరగాలి, ఎందుకంటే ఈ విభాగంలో శిక్షణ పొందిన అధికారులు, అనుభవం, పర్యవేక్షణ నైపుణ్యం ఉంటాయి. గతంలో (2011) గ్రామీణ, ...

Nagesh Bhushan Community leaders and citizens hold the key to making India’s caste census a triumph of inclusion May 24, 2025  India’s decision to include caste in its 2025 census, the first such exercise since 1931, is a bold step toward data-driven social justice. With 1.4 billion people and thousands of castes, the task is formidable: logistical barriers, social sensitivities, and the ghost of the flawed 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), which recorded 46 lakh inconsistent caste entries, loom large. Yet, inspiration lies in Nagaland’s 2011 census, where community leaders and citizens turned a challenging count into a model of inclusivity. As India embarks on this historic endeavor, the active participation of local leaders and ordinary citizens will be the linchpin of success. Nagaland’s Lesson : Communities as Catalysts In 2011, Nagaland, a north-eastern state of 1.98 million, achieved near-universal census participation despite rugged terrain and tribal diversity (...

I ndia’s first caste census since 1931 offers a chance to reshape social policy, but only if it learns from past successes May 20, 2025 | Hyderabad  When India announced in May 2025 that its upcoming census would include caste data for the first time since 1931, it reignited a debate as old as the republic itself: how to balance social equity with the complexities of identity. The caste census, aimed at refining affirmative action and welfare schemes, faces daunting challenges—diverse identities, logistical hurdles, and fears of social unrest. Yet, a small state in India’s north-east offers a blueprint. Nagaland’s Census 2011, which achieved near-universal participation despite rugged terrain and tribal diversity, shows how community engagement can deliver reliable data. As India embarks on this historic exercise, Nagaland’s model of inclusivity could be the key to success. A Communal Triumph Nagaland, a hilly state of 1.98 million people, 86.5% of whom are Scheduled Tr...

A robust public awareness campaign is critical for the success of a caste census, as it builds trust, clarifies objectives, and encourages participation. Below are detailed strategies to enhance public awareness, tailored to the context of a caste census in India, ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and engagement across diverse populations: 1. Multilingual and Localized Communication Strategy : Develop campaign materials in all major Indian languages (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu) and regional dialects, ensuring accessibility for linguistic minorities. Execution : Translate key messages about the census’s purpose, process, and benefits into local languages. Use culturally relevant idioms and examples to resonate with regional audiences. Partner with local media outlets (radio, newspapers, TV) to disseminate messages in vernacular languages. Impact : Ensures comprehension and relatability, especially in rural and non-Hindi-speaking areas. 2. Multimedia Campaigns Strateg...