Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​Turn and churn: On caste count and next Census

​Turn and churn: On caste count and next Census

A caste census should not be allowed to ossify social segmentation (विभाजन, खंडन)

The Centre’s decision to include caste enumeration (गणना, सूचीकरण) in the next national Census marks a sharp departure for the ruling BJP from its previous position. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in 2024 targeted the Congress election manifesto promise of a caste census as a reflection of its ‘urban Naxal’ thinking. During the general election last year, BJP leaders had asked the people for a massive Lok Sabha majority to remodel the Constitution. This promise of a constitutional overhaul (मरम्मत करना, नवीनीकरण करना) was seen by OBC and Dalit groups as a threat to dismantle (विघटित करना, तोड़ना) caste reservations, and partly explains why the BJP fell short of an electoral majority. In 2015, the RSS chief’s call for a debate on caste-based reservation led to setbacks for the BJP in the Bihar Assembly elections. The Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly election victories in 2024 suggested that the BJP’s plank of Hindu unity, and its resistance (प्रतिरोध, विरोध) to caste-based politics, continued to retain electoral salience. But, as it turns out, the BJP was probably unsure of its electoral ground and feared or sensed an undercurrent in favour of caste census that it could no longer politically ignore, particularly in Bihar which will vote later this year.

It is now a race to claim credit. The BJP and the Opposition have accused each other of undermining social justice. National formations, which include the BJP, the Congress and the Left, have historically taken an ambiguous (अस्पष्ट), if not hostile, view towards caste claims. Subaltern parties that mobilised OBC and Dalit groups in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar displaced all national parties from these States in the 1990s. The BJP responded by turning more inclusive towards the OBCs, that has culminated (पराकाष्ठा पर पहुँचना, चरम पर पहुँचना) in its continuing electoral dominance since 2014. The Congress, under Rahul Gandhi, started espousing caste justice, in a remarkable turn in the party’s history. Apart from a caste census, Mr. Gandhi now seeks the removal of the 50% ceiling in reservations, and an expansion of reservation in private educational institutions. Though there is no evidence yet that the Congress has or will make electoral gains from the new stirring, it is evident that the BJP is worried. The counting of castes and communities unleashed (मुक्त करना, छोड़ना) social forces in colonial India that continue till date, and a comprehensive caste count, the first since 1931, is set to unmake and remake many political and social realities. A caste census would not automatically result in reservation according to population figures, which is obnoxious; as Article 16(4) of the Constitution makes it clear, special provision for reservation in favour of any backward class can be made only if such community is inadequately (अपर्याप्त) represented in public services. A caste census should not be allowed to ossify (Turn into bone or bony tissue; become rigid or fixed in attitude or habit) social divisions, but only used to better target benefits of affirmative (सकारात्मक) action.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Segmentation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - विभाजन, खंडन
English Meaning - The division of something into separate parts or sections.

2.Enumeration (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - गणना, सूचीकरण
English Meaning - The action of mentioning a number of things one by one.

3.Overhaul (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - मरम्मत करना, नवीनीकरण करना
English Meaning - Renovate, improve, or repair thoroughly; a thorough repair or renovation.

4.Dismantle (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - विघटित करना, तोड़ना
English Meaning - Take (a machine or structure) to pieces.

5.Resistance (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रतिरोध, विरोध
English Meaning - The ability not to be affected by something, especially adversely; opposition to something.

6.Ambiguous (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अस्पष्ट
English Meaning - Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.

7.Culminate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - पराकाष्ठा पर पहुँचना, चरम पर पहुँचना
English Meaning - Reach a climax or point of highest development.

8.Unleash (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - मुक्त करना, छोड़ना
English Meaning - Release (a powerful force, emotion, or person) suddenly.

9.Inadequate (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अपर्याप्त
English Meaning - Not good enough or not large enough; insufficient.

10.Affirmative (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - सकारात्मक
English Meaning - Expressing agreement or consent; saying yes.

11.Churn (Verb)

English Meaning - Agitate or turn (milk or cream) vigorously to make butter; move about vigorously; a container or machine for churning milk or cream.

12.Ossify (Verb)

English Meaning - Turn into bone or bony tissue; become rigid or fixed in attitude or habit.