http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Its-decided-Census-to-count-caste/articleshow/6272192.cms
It's decided: Census to count caste
Rajeev Deshpande, TNN, Aug 8, 2010, 02.39am IST
NEW DELHI: Despite the polarising response it evokes, the ongoing
census is almost certain to enumerate caste. The pressure of other
backward castes (OBC) groups, which have asserted themselves strongly
in all political parties, is set to prevail over misgivings about a
new wave of caste-based politics.
A group of ministers headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee will
take a formal view on enumeration of caste after receiving the views
of all political parties but the die seems to be cast. What needs to
be now resolved is at what stage of the census this will be done and
how the question would be framed.
Going by discussions in government so far, an enumeration of all
castes might be on the cards. This would mean a comprehensive caste
count that will tell what proportions of the population various
sections represent, the first authentic figures after the 1931 census.
Till now, NSSO and BPL surveys have provided a partial picture.
The only meeting of the GoM held so far had seen some differences in
opinion with ministers like Salman Khursheed (minority affairs) and
Mukul Wasnik (social justice and empowerment) backing a caste count
while Kapil Sibal (HRD) differed. Defence minister A K Antony said he
did not believe in caste. The meeting decided to ask parties to send
in their views.
One of the issues raised at the meeting was that enumerating
sub-castes would create a more fragmented polity with caste interests
lobbying for proportionate quotas within broader categories like OBC,
something that is already evident.
But such apprehensions as well as the argument that a caste count
would not be able to change the Supreme Court-mandated 50% quota
ceiling, have been swept aside by the political reality of OBC
interests, particularly in north India. The OBC parliamentary forum
has only recently given a fresh memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh to press for a caste count.
Apart from the OBC forum, JD(U) and RJD leaders Sharad Yadav and Lalu
Prasad met finance minister Pranab Mukherjee to remind him of
assurances offered to them by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi during the
Budget session of Parliament. The BJP, too, has decided to reiterate
the position outlined by Gopinath Munde -- an OBC leader -- in
Parliament in support of a caste count.
BJP has raised a question over the integrity of the census and this
has been considered by the home ministry as well. To rule out
exaggerated claims, it is felt caste information could be recorded in
the last stage of the census when biometric information will be
gathered. This way the next stage due to begin in February 2011, will
be just the headcount. The first stage, the household and family
survey, is over.
Though the government has a window till the end of the year to make up
its mind, it will find it extremely difficult to retrace its steps on
a caste census without risking a major showdown with OBC groups.
Thought is being given as to whether a compromise is possible with
some sort of a halfway house where sub-castes are not listed. But with
state lists at variance with the Centre, an all caste count may be
inevitable.
OBC leaders see the census as an important step towards legitimising
their claims to quotas as they have argued that backwards constitute
between 52-54% of the population. The NSSO has pegged OBC population
in rural areas at 38.5%, a claim that OBC leaders dispute.
The GoM on the caste census has some time to finalise its views as it
will consider the responses of parties and changes in either the
headcount form or in the biometric procedures are not time consuming.
There is still time for the registrar general to effect changes in
keeping with the government's decision. The GoM report will be
considered by the cabinet.
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