Introduction

The government’s announcement of a caste census has reignited the social justice debate. After decades of delay, the exercise promises to redefine India’s path toward equality. However, scholars like Anand Teltumbde and sociologist Trina Vithayathil caution that unless thoughtfully designed, the census could become a token gesture perpetuating caste divisions instead of dismantling them.

Why in the News?

For the first time in over 90 years, India appears poised to conduct a comprehensive caste enumeration, a long-standing demand of social justice movements. The announcement marked a political and social milestone, yet it raised concerns over methodology, intent, and execution. The last major caste data collection was the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011, whose data was never released. Hence, this move represents both continuity and rupture, an opportunity for social reform, but also a test of political sincerity.

What is the significance of a caste census today?

1. Historical Backdrop: The last caste enumeration occurred in 1931, and SECC 2011 failed to release its caste data.
2. Social Justice Milestone: Seen as the next big step in India’s march toward reducing structural caste inequalities.
3. Relevance to Policy: Data essential for designing targeted affirmative action and inclusive public welfare policies.

The Peril of a Caste Census

1. Tokenism Risk: Scholars warn against viewing the caste census as a panacea for social justice without structural reform.
2. Reinforcement of Hierarchies: Poorly designed enumeration could re-entrench caste identity rather than diminish it.
3. Ambedkarite Vision: Real emancipation lies in annihilating caste, not merely counting it.

How do recent scholarly works shape the debate?

1. Teltumbde’s “The Caste Conundrum”: Advocates linking caste enumeration with transformative social change.
2. Vithayathil’s “Counting Caste”: Based on bureaucratic fieldwork, highlighting how technical details can determine whether enumeration promotes inclusion or exclusion.
3. Common Ground: Both scholars stress reflection and purpose, not mechanical data gathering.

What are the operational and moral questions involved?

1. Scope and Inclusion: Full enumeration must include all religions (Hindus, Muslims, Christians) and not just OBC, SC, ST categories.
2. Methodological Integrity: SECC 2011 was flawed, protocols discouraged recording caste among minorities.
3. Question of Purpose: Census must ask not “what caste are you?” but “how do caste-based structures impact opportunity and power?”

How can the census become a tool for transformation?

1. Redesign for Equality: Move from a capital C Census (bureaucratic, divisive) to a small c census (reflective, reformist).
2. Policy Integration: Use caste data to redesign reservation, education, and economic mobility programs.
3. Ethical Imperative: Must ensure it does not become a tool to perpetuate caste privilege, but a means to dismantle inherited inequities.

Conclusion

The caste census, if executed thoughtfully, can become a historic step toward data-backed equality. But if reduced to political arithmetic, it risks becoming a bureaucratic ritual reinforcing caste privilege. The challenge is to move from enumeration to emancipation from a Census that counts people to one that makes people count.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2018] Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, the caste system cannot be eradicated in India. Comment.

Linkage: It reflects how caste persists through new political and institutional forms. The caste census debate illustrates this continuity between identity and policy in modern India.

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