Modi government can start the exercise to build consensus on caste census

New Delhi. The central government can start the exercise to build consensus on the issue of caste census. An attempt can be made by the government to find a roadmap ahead with theoretical consensus on this. No decision has been taken in this matter yet, but sources have said that due to the demand for caste census, the government wants to resolve many kinds of complexities first.

Sources said that the ruling BJP is not against the demand for caste census in principle, but there is still clarity about what should be its way. One opinion is that a committee should be formed, which includes all the parties. A way should be found after discussion in it. Once a consensus is formed on this issue, the way will also be clear for the census.

It is worth noting that the proposed census of 2021 is still pending due to Kovid. Preparations are going on about this, but it has not been decided when the census will start. It is expected that a decision will be taken on this in 2025. An official said that there are many castes associated with one title in the country. People with the same title belong to different classes. If the computer calculates according to the title, then it may be difficult to find out the exact class of the castes which will be in lakhs.

46 lakh castes found in 2011 census
When the caste census was conducted in the country in 1931, the total number of castes was 4,147. When the census was conducted in 2011, the number of castes came out to be around 46 lakh. However, the figures of the 2011 census were not revealed. Caste-wise figures were also recorded from 1872 to 1931.

The Mandal Commission’s report on the 1931 census
The Mandal Commission’s report in 1980 was based on the caste census of 1931. Caste census was also conducted in 1941, but the figures were not published. After independence, when the first census was conducted in 1951, the method of census conducted under British rule was changed.

Questions are also possible regarding religion
In the census from 1961 to 2001, the government kept a distance from caste census. In the 2011 census, caste based data (socio-economic caste) was also collected for the first time, but this data was not made public. A lot of new things can happen in the census in future..