September 16th, 2010
DC Correspondent
DC Correspondent
Caste chieftains will divide, rule
M.K. Pandhe
M.K. Pandhe
The question of caste census has arisen on account of the government’s reservation policy. The other backward classes (OBCs) have of late been provided with job reservations in the government and the public sector. The question then confronted by the establishment was determining the basis on which OBC quotas could be fixed. Some political parties demanded caste enumeration while conducting the census. The government took some time before deciding the question because, during the freedom movement, the Congress Party had opposed census on the basis of caste. It is surprising that the party’s government, which owes allegiance to Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru, has succumbed to the pressure and cleared a caste census.
In 1930 the British colonial government decided not to conduct a caste-based census under pressure from the leaders of the freedom struggle who were against the caste system. I feel that there can be no justification for the government to succumb to the pressure of a few obscurantist forces and accept the concept of caste census.
To my mind, if at all the government finds it necessary to quantify the percentage of OBCs in the population, a special mechanism could be found for this purpose. But tying it with the Census would amount to according perpetual recognition to the oppressive caste system. In modern society, industry is totally de-linked with the caste system. The government of India’s step will only strengthen the hands of the obscurantist elements who want to keep society perpetually divided so that they may sustain their leadership. Mostly they are proclaimed caste chieftains. In India caste has always been an instrument of exploitation by putting certain groups of people in a perpetually disadvantageous position. The syndrome has led to tension in the society. Instead of counting people according to their caste, it would have served people better if attempts were made to reform society by introducing innovative tools other than reservation to negate exploitation. I think it is high time the government reviewed the existing situation, as well as its decision on caste census. I would prefer to see that it does not fall victim to the forces of backwardness who want to use caste loyalties as a weapon with which to draw political mileage in the present electoral system.
— Dr M.K. Pandhe,
— Dr M.K. Pandhe,
CPI(M) politburo member and CITU president
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It’ll help centre in welfare plans
Jayant Choudhary
Jayant Choudhary
Caste cannot be wished away in India. To say that caste census will help politicians, and not the people, may not necessarily be true. Caste census is about getting the numbers right to deliver welfare measures to the people in a targeted manner that is result- oriented.
The exercise will provide information about castes that are not getting benefits meant for them and help to bring them into the ambit of government schemes.
There is a system of reservation in this country, in government jobs and educational institutions. In reality, however, there are a number of castes which may deserve to qualify for reservation but are out of its purview.
Some castes are scattered across districts in a state but do not add up to a large number in that state, and are thus deprived of reservation benefits in the state. How does the government do justice to the concept of equality among castes if not by finding their demographic status? Lots of oppression is still taking place at various levels in the country. How to deal with such social issues?
There is quota for scheduled castes and tribes, along with those of other backward classes (OBCs) in government jobs. If quota benefits are extended to the private sector, what will be the basis? The caste census will throw up the numbers to explain the level of employment of people of various castes in the private sector.
Many castes don’t have the numbers to raise their voice in an effective manner. Are they getting quota benefits? Caste census will give the answer. It’s also important to know if the numbers support the government’s claims on benefits to particular castes. The database will give government the flexibility to widen the scope of its welfare measures. An example helps us here: We have the public distribution system (PDS). Now that the focus of the government is on “targeted” PDS, how do you target the needy if you do not have the numbers?
Another example — the government is giving subsidy on fertilisers. Even there the need is for a targeted approach. The unique identity database (UID), which is on the anvil, will be of help here.
The caste census is in a similar category. It will help the people.
(As told to Manish Anand)
— Jayant Choudhary,
— Jayant Choudhary,
MP from Mathura, Rashtriya Lok Dal