Masterstroke or damage-control? BJP's caste census sets ball rolling in Bihar
In a politically significant decision ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government has announced that caste enumeration will be conducted alongside the upcoming decennial national census. The move is widely interpreted as a calibrated attempt to counter the opposition INDIA bloc's growing demand for a nationwide caste census — an issue that has gained traction in Bihar's deeply caste-sensitive political landscape.advertisementThe announcement comes amidst speculation that the BJP is seeking to pre-empt a possible division of Hindu votes along caste lines, which could undermine its electoral prospects in a state where identity politics has historically overshadowed religious consolidation.Bihar had already conducted a state-level caste survey in 2023 under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led then Mahagathbandhan government, which included the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the Congress. The survey's findings were made public on October 2, 2023. At the time, the decision to undertake the survey had received unanimous support from all parties in the state, including the BJP, which was in the opposition.
Yet, demands for a nationwide enumeration persisted, with both Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his then-deputy Tejashwi Yadav pressing the Centre to take up the issue. Ironically, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during recent visits to Bihar, criticised the state-conducted survey and called for a fresh national caste census — despite his party being part of the government that carried out the 2023 exercise.advertisementPolitical analysts view the Centre's decision as both a tactical masterstroke and a damage-control measure. "The BJP has failed to project a strong Hindutva figure like Yogi Adityanath in Bihar and has had to engage with the region's entrenched caste arithmetic," said Abhay Mohan Jha, a Patna-based political commentator.By embracing caste enumeration, the BJP appeared to be adapting to the ground realities of Bihar's politics, where electoral outcomes have long been shaped more by caste coalitions than communal mobilisation. Analysts suggested that the saffron party is aiming to neutralise one of the Mahagathbandhan's central campaign planks, while simultaneously retaining key allies at the Centre, inlcluding Nitish Kumar and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan.THE HISTORICAL PRECEDENTThe BJP's move also appeared to be shaped by past electoral setbacks. In the 2015 Bihar elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav had successfully turned the tide in his favour after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat suggested a review of the reservation policy — fuelling fears among OBCs, SCs, and STs of a rollback in affirmative action.Caste is still the cornerstone of electoral strategy in Bihar, with the RJD banking on its traditional Yadav-Muslim base, and the Janata Dal (United) leaning on support from Kurmis, Koeris, OBCs, and Mahadalits.advertisement"Our demand for caste census is longstanding. It will provide accurate data for planning and ensure the development of marginalised communities," Nitish Kumar said in response to the Centre's recent announcement.Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary echoed the sentiment from the BJP's side, stating, "The caste census will enable better socio-economic planning for deprived sections of society".OPPOSITION'S 'IDEOLOGICAL VICTORY'RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav hailed the move as a belated acknowledgement of socialist politics. "The first caste survey was done in Bihar under our 17-month Mahagathbandhan government. The issues we raised three decades ago are now setting the national agenda. We'll continue to make these Sanghis dance to our tune," he said.Even Rahul Gandhi welcomed the government's 'sudden' decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census after "11 years of opposing it". He also credited Congress's sustained campaign and said that it was the pressure put by the grand old party on the government for the caste census has worked."It doesn't matter what the BJP thinks. We have shown that we can pressure the BJP into doing the caste census," Gandhi said at a press conference. "We wholeheartedly welcome this decision but demand a clear implementation timeline," the Gandhi scion said.Must Watch
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