The Modi government has taken a historic step by announcing a nationwide caste census. Facing increasing pressure from the opposition, the government made this major decision on April 30, as revealed by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after a cabinet meeting. The announcement created a political stir across parties.
Opposition parties like Congress and RJD are calling this a victory. Tejashwi Yadav declared it a win for Lalu Prasad Yadav's long-standing demand. Meanwhile, the BJP is also celebrating in Bihar, treating it as a key political advantage ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also welcomed the decision and thanked Prime Minister Modi.
Why Is the Caste Census Important Now?
For the BJP, the caste census aligns with its 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' policy. The opposition has been raising concerns over inequality among various castes. Collecting caste-based data will help the government understand social and economic disparities, enabling better policy-making, fair distribution of resources, and more effective implementation of welfare schemes.
The 2023 Bihar caste-based survey revealed that 84% of the population belongs to OBCs, Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), and Scheduled Castes (SC). Such data is crucial for reviewing and updating reservation policies.
Political Strategy Behind Caste Census
The caste census is also being seen as a smart political move by the BJP. The issue had been strongly championed by the opposition, especially Rahul Gandhi in Parliament. Congress had clearly planned to make this a central issue in the upcoming Bihar elections. However, by announcing the caste census, the Modi government has taken the initiative and seized the momentum from the opposition.
Parties like JD(U) and LJP (Paswan), BJP's allies in Bihar, had been demanding this for a long time. With this step, the BJP has not only addressed a key social demand but also positioned itself strategically ahead of elections.
This move could reshape BJP’s image as a party representing broader caste groups, not just upper castes. Analyzing the voting patterns in recent Lok Sabha elections shows BJP’s expanding base across castes.