New Delhi:
Bihar on Monday released data from a caste-based survey that indicates 36 per cent of the population are from Extremely Backward Classes, 27.1 per cent are from Backward Classes, 19.7 per cent are from Scheduled Castes and 1.7 per cent are from Scheduled Tribes. The general population accounts for the remaining 15.5 per cent. The state’s population is over 13.1 crore.
Earlier today Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said he plans to call all nine parties that are part of the ruling coalition, including Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, to discuss next steps, which could include dealing with calls to increase OBC quotas now at 27 per cent.
According to data released today, just months before the 2024 Lok Sabha election, backward classes in the state account for nearly two-thirds of the population – 63.1 per cent.
The survey also said the Yadav community – the group to which the Deputy Chief Minister belongs – is the largest sub-group, accounting for 14.27 per cent of all OBC categories.
In August, after the exercise was completed, Mr Kumar said the survey would be “beneficial for all” and “will enable the development of various sections of society, including the deprived.” The Chief Minister also said the survey – a topic that has divided the country’s political landscape – would identify areas that need development and said, “I am sure other states will also follow it.”
Also in August, when pressed on some political parties opposing the caste-based headcount, the Chief Minister said the exercise had been ordered with the support of all state parties.
This cross-party support, he indicated, included ally-turned-rival BJP.
The contentious nature of this exercise can be gauged from the fact the BJP’s state leaders endorsed the move despite the party opposing calls for a nation-wide caste-based census.
The release of this data comes as the Supreme Court continues to hear petitions challenging a Patna High Court’s judgment that paved the way for this controversial “caste-based headcount”.
However, the court refused an interim stay unless critics made out a prima facie case.
The decision to conduct a caste survey was taken by the Bihar government in June last year.
The Chief Minister has repeatedly said the state is not conducting a census – of which the centre first told the Supreme Court “no other body is entitled to conduct…” before backing down – but only collecting data on economic status and caste for targeted development initiatives.
