15-05-2025
Caste census will dispel the notion of castelessness
Written by Jadumani Mahanand
For more than a hundred years, any discussion on caste has evoked multi-layered debates. But caste continues to shape the foundational base of Hindu society. Each discipline — social sciences, humanities, law, economics, or even biology or environmental sciences — uses its own methodological perspective to unpack its dominance.
The popular perception of speaking about caste has mostly been associated with Dalits or Bahujans. When a sufferer/oppressed speaks about caste, it is reduced to identity politics. But when an oppressor speaks about the caste, it is perceived as progressive or casteless. Historically, the 1931 caste census exposed the accumulation of power, resources and prestige, which led to the foundation of social justice measures. Following a similar trajectory, the Mandal Commission recommendations changed the political dynamics of the country.
Caste is neither merely a data, nor a value-free category. It is essentially a governing principle. Each aspect of Hindu life is governed by 'the cosmos of caste habitus', whether it is marriage, food, language, name, occupation, power or prestige. Counting Caste is to count the status of caste and its multifaceted nature. For example, how does the practice of caste impact the everyday life of an Indian? Why and how do people practice caste, and what is its significance? These questions are necessary to understand the life and status of the caste in India.
The belief that caste no longer exists in Indian urban middle-class life has spread across the upper caste universe in the liberal dominating space of educational institutions. Their castelessness itself is a perpetuation of caste privilege. The caste difference in India is so stark that one section enjoys the privileges of being the residents of South Delhi, while the others are forced to work as manual scavengers. Thus, disgust becomes a natural indignation against Dalits.
Similarly, caste also dominates the online dating apps and matrimonial sites. One can further count caste in a gig economy. What does a Dalit or a lower caste body embody in this capitalist modern world?
Everywhere — from the judiciary, bureaucracy, parliaments, educational institutions, media, to business — the upper castes control the democratic system by monopolising the instrument of caste. Arguably, the principle of social justice has made Indian democracy meaningful, otherwise, it would have been completely controlled by the upper castes. Despite them constituting a minority proportion of the Indian population, their numbers are numerically high in the major institutions that wield power over the society.
Can counting caste counter the dominance of caste? It may be used as a tool in Bihar and UP elections, where critical caste consciousness is prevalent among the lower castes. Many political leaders, including the Prime Minister, have politically benefited from caste assertion. Congress's decision to have a Dalit party president also symbolises that. In Bihar, both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad used caste as a pivot to consolidate their respective voters.
When caste can be used for political gains, it should be documented for other purposes — like welfare and reservation — as well. Only a caste census would be able to dispel the notion of castelessness and identify how caste has shaped the political and social features of our country.
The writer is assistant professor, political science, O P Jindal University. Views are personal
