Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Counting right: On caste surveys

Counting right: On caste surveys

A caste survey will not automatically mean higher quota for OBCs.

Last week’s launch of a caste survey in Telangana by the Congress government is a step towards fulfilling its 2023 Assembly poll promise. The survey may form the basis for enhancing the quantum of reservation for Backward Classes (BCs), going by the party’s election manifesto (घोषणापत्र). At present, 112 communities under five categories of BCs enjoy a 29% quota in education and employment, including 4% for socially and educationally Muslim BCs. The survey is being undertaken at a time when demand for such an exercise at the all-India level is growing louder. In Tamil Nadu, an early mover in the area of affirmative (सकारात्मक) action for BCs, political parties have been raising the issue though divided on whether the State or the Centre should conduct (आचरण, व्यवहार) the exercise. In poll-bound Maharashtra, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has promised a caste-based census. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had stated that a caste census undertaken for the welfare of the downtrodden (दलित, शोषित, पीड़ित) was fine but the BJP is cold to the idea. The Union government had also said that it had no proposal to make caste data of the Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 public. In fact, in Karnataka, where most of the work on a socio-economic and educational survey was done about 10 years ago, the survey report has yet to be made public despite (के बावजूद) the submission (समर्पण, अधीनता) of the final report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The idea of a caste-based survey is being floated as a prelude (प्रस्तावना, भूमिका) to the automatic lifting of the Supreme Court’s ceiling of 50% in reservation for OBCs, SCs and STs. In June, the Patna High Court struck down two Acts in Bihar, envisaging (कल्पना करना, अनुमान लगाना) enhanced (बढ़ाना, सुधारना) quantum in quota for BCs, Extremely BCs, SCs and STs in education and government jobs. The Nitish Kumar government had carried out a caste survey prior to enacting the laws. The High Court had emphasised the principle of adequate representation while striking down the laws. In the case on 10.5% internal quota for Vanniyars within the Most BCs of Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court had upheld the Madras High Court’s conclusion that the reservation to the community under the 2021 Act was based on “antiquated (To make something obsolete or outdated) data”. Compilation and presentation of data would not mechanically pave the way for any increase in the quantum, let alone breaching (उल्लंघन) the 50% cap. Analysis of features such as poverty, caste, occupation and location of residence should justify any move to increase the quantum. Besides, as in Article 16(4), only those communities inadequately represented in the public services can be given job quota. No political party should create an impression (धारणा, प्रभाव) that a caste census will lead to increased OBC reservation. The Centre should also limit the ceiling of annual parental income in determining the creamy layer among OBCs. Else, only the most advanced sections among BCs will continue to corner the benefits of reservation.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Enhance (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - बढ़ाना, सुधारना
English Meaning - To improve or increase the quality, value, or extent of something.

2.Manifesto (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - घोषणापत्र
English Meaning - A public declaration of intentions, opinions, or motives, often for a political cause.

3.Affirmative (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - सकारात्मक
English Meaning - Agreeing with or supporting a statement or proposal; positive.

4.Conduct (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - आचरण, व्यवहार
English Meaning - The manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion.

5.Downtrodden (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - दलित, शोषित, पीड़ित
English Meaning - Oppressed or treated badly by people in power.

6.Despite (Preposition)

Hindi Meaning - के बावजूद
English Meaning - Without being affected by; in spite of.

7.Prelude (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - प्रस्तावना, भूमिका
English Meaning - An introductory event or action that serves as a preparation for something more important.

8.Impression (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - धारणा, प्रभाव
English Meaning - An idea, feeling, or opinion about something or someone, especially one formed without conscious thought.

9.Submission (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - समर्पण, अधीनता
English Meaning - The action of accepting or yielding to a superior force or authority.

10.Envisage (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - कल्पना करना, अनुमान लगाना
English Meaning - To form a mental image of something; to imagine or expect as a possibility.

11.Breach (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - उल्लंघन
English Meaning - An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.

12.Antiquate (Verb)

English Meaning - To make something obsolete or outdated.