blog post about why caste based census data should not be done in India

Caste Based Census: A Threat to India's Unity and Diversity

India is a country of diverse cultures, religions, languages, and ethnicities. It is also a country that has a history of caste discrimination and oppression, which has been outlawed by the Constitution of India. However, some groups and parties are demanding a caste based census, which would count the population according to their caste categories. They claim that this would help in ensuring social justice and welfare for the marginalized sections of the society. But is this really the case? Or is it a dangerous move that would divide the nation and create more conflicts and violence?

In this blog post, I will argue that caste based census is not only unnecessary, but also harmful for India's unity and diversity. I will present some reasons why caste based census should not be done in India, and what we can learn from our world history.

Caste Based Census is Unnecessary

One of the main arguments in favor of caste based census is that it would provide accurate data on the socio-economic status of different castes, and help in designing policies and programs for their upliftment. However, this argument is flawed for several reasons.

First, caste is not a reliable indicator of socio-economic status. There are many factors that affect one's income, education, health, and opportunities, such as gender, region, urbanization, occupation, migration, etc. Caste alone cannot capture these complexities and variations. Moreover, caste is not a static or homogeneous category. There are many sub-castes, groups, and communities within each caste, which have different levels of development and empowerment. For example, within the Scheduled Castes (SCs), there are some groups that are relatively better off than others. Similarly, within the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), there are some groups that are more dominant and influential than others. Therefore, a simple enumeration of castes would not reflect the reality of the social structure and hierarchy.

Second, caste based census is not necessary for implementing affirmative action policies. The Constitution of India already provides reservation for SCs, STs (Scheduled Tribes), and OBCs in education, employment, and political representation. These categories are based on historical and current discrimination and deprivation, not on numerical strength or population size. The criteria for identifying these categories are well established and do not require a fresh census. Moreover, there are other ways of collecting data on the socio-economic conditions of different groups, such as sample surveys, household surveys, administrative records, etc. These methods are more cost-effective, timely, and accurate than a nationwide census.

Third, caste based census is not necessary for ensuring social justice and welfare. The government already has various schemes and programs for the development and empowerment of SCs, STs, OBCs, and other vulnerable sections of the society. These include scholarships, loans, subsidies, skill development, health care, housing, etc. The allocation and distribution of these benefits are based on objective criteria and indicators, not on caste identity or population size. Moreover, the government has also enacted laws and regulations to prevent and punish caste discrimination and atrocities. Therefore, a caste based census would not add any value or benefit to the existing measures and mechanisms for social justice and welfare.

 Caste Based Census is Harmful

Another argument in favor of caste based census is that it would recognize the diversity and plurality of India's society, and promote the dignity and rights of different castes. However, this argument is also flawed for several reasons.

First, caste based census would reinforce the stigma and stereotypes associated with caste identity. Caste is a system of social stratification that assigns people to unequal and hierarchical positions based on birth. It is a source of discrimination, oppression, and violence for millions of people in India. By counting people according to their castes, the census would legitimize and perpetuate this system, and give it a constitutional and legal sanction. It would also create a false sense of pride or shame among different castes, and encourage them to compete or conflict with each other for resources, power, and recognition.

Second, caste based census would undermine the unity and integrity of India as a nation.

India is a diverse but also a composite country, where people have multiple identities and affiliations, such as religion, language, region, culture, etc.

Caste is only one aspect of one's identity, and not necessarily the most important or dominant one.

By focusing only on caste, the census would ignore or marginalize other aspects of one's identity, and create artificial divisions and differences among people.

It would also weaken the sense of common citizenship and national identity among Indians, and threaten the sovereignty and security of India as a state.

Third, caste based census would hamper the progress and development of India as a society.

India is a developing country that faces many challenges and opportunities in the 21st century, such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, corruption, terrorism, climate change, etc.

To overcome these challenges and seize these opportunities, India needs to foster a culture of merit, innovation, and excellence among its people.

By emphasizing caste over merit, the census would lower the standards and quality of education, employment, and governance in India.

It would also discourage the mobility and integration of people across castes, regions, and sectors, and hinder the social and economic transformation of India.

What We Can Learn from Our World History

The proponents of caste based census often cite the examples of other countries that have conducted ethnic or racial censuses, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc.

They claim that these countries have used the census data to promote the diversity and equality of their societies.

However, this comparison is misleading and inappropriate for several reasons.

First, the contexts and histories of these countries are very different from India's.

These countries are mostly settler colonies or former colonies that have experienced large-scale immigration and multiculturalism in the recent past.

They have also faced issues of racial discrimination and segregation against their indigenous or minority populations.

Therefore, they have adopted ethnic or racial censuses as a way of acknowledging and addressing these issues.

India, on the other hand, is an ancient civilization and a modern nation that has a long and complex history of caste diversity and hierarchy. It has also inherited a legacy of colonialism and partition that have shaped its identity and politics. Therefore, it cannot simply copy or emulate the models of other countries without considering its own specificities and realities.

Second, the outcomes and impacts of ethnic or racial censuses in these countries are not necessarily positive or desirable. These censuses have often been controversial and contested by various groups and parties, who have raised questions about their accuracy, validity, reliability, and utility. They have also been criticized for creating or reinforcing ethnic or racial stereotypes, prejudices, tensions, and conflicts in these societies. Moreover, they have not been able to eliminate or reduce the inequalities and injustices faced by the marginalized or disadvantaged groups in these countries. Therefore, they cannot be taken as examples of success or best practice for India to follow or aspire to.

Third, there are other examples from world history that show the dangers and disasters of caste based census. One such example is Nazi Germany, which conducted a census in 1939 to identify and classify its population according to their racial origin and ancestry. This census was used as a tool for implementing the Nazi ideology of racial supremacy and purity, which led to the persecution and genocide of millions of Jews and other minorities in Europe during the Second World War. Another such example is Rwanda, which conducted a census in 1991 to count its population according to their ethnic affiliation: Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa. This census was used as a pretext for inciting and unleashing a wave of ethnic hatred and violence, which resulted in the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994. These examples show that caste based census can be a catalyst for mass atrocities and human rights violations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I have argued that caste based census is not only unnecessary, but also harmful for India's unity and diversity. I have presented some reasons why caste based census should not be done in India, and what we can learn from our world history. I hope that this blog post has provided some food for thought for my readers, and encouraged them to think critically and sensibly about this issue. I also hope that the government and the people of India will reject any demand or proposal for caste based census, and instead focus on building a more inclusive, harmonious, and prosperous India.

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