Currently there is a lot of debate going on the topic of mentioning caste in the census. There are around 5000 different castes in India of which around 2500 castes are considered as backward and of these around 1000 castes are considered most backward. Post Mandal Commission the figure of backward castes has crossed 3500. Some castes are considered backward in one state and not so in other.
In urban and educated India the caste does not matter much. However we cannot deny that caste system do exist in India. Suppression of backward caste at one end and Honor killings at other end still occur in India.
There is definitely need of availability of good quality caste related data in view of planning and policy making for the country. Though the data about castes is collected through sample surveys the last time in census it was collected in 1930.
The reservations is another issue and has several dimensions. Even those who are against reservations will agree that underprivileged should be given some consideration while competing with the rest of the society. Should the criteria be 'caste or economic backwardness ?' and 'what should be the percentage of reservations?' or 'what should be the format of benefits?' are all debatable issues.
In this census actual caste should get recorded in detail even if one is not from the backward castes. Some are against it pleading that it will affect the social fabric. But those who have the habit to make the mess of the things will do that even without this data.
At the same time we should remember that those who want to do some good to this country a good quality data will help. Census is not only headcount but data on several social aspects is collected. Reservations can not be the sole purpose of collecting caste related data. There is a possibility that census will not take place in future and this census data may be linked with UID which will be a permanent feature.
This data is to be converted in information after the analysis using the appropriate parameters. And this information when viewed in proper perspective will generate the intelligence. With the good political will this intelligence can be applied in the policy makings for the better future of the country.
In urban and educated India the caste does not matter much. However we cannot deny that caste system do exist in India. Suppression of backward caste at one end and Honor killings at other end still occur in India.
There is definitely need of availability of good quality caste related data in view of planning and policy making for the country. Though the data about castes is collected through sample surveys the last time in census it was collected in 1930.
The reservations is another issue and has several dimensions. Even those who are against reservations will agree that underprivileged should be given some consideration while competing with the rest of the society. Should the criteria be 'caste or economic backwardness ?' and 'what should be the percentage of reservations?' or 'what should be the format of benefits?' are all debatable issues.
In this census actual caste should get recorded in detail even if one is not from the backward castes. Some are against it pleading that it will affect the social fabric. But those who have the habit to make the mess of the things will do that even without this data.
At the same time we should remember that those who want to do some good to this country a good quality data will help. Census is not only headcount but data on several social aspects is collected. Reservations can not be the sole purpose of collecting caste related data. There is a possibility that census will not take place in future and this census data may be linked with UID which will be a permanent feature.
This data is to be converted in information after the analysis using the appropriate parameters. And this information when viewed in proper perspective will generate the intelligence. With the good political will this intelligence can be applied in the policy makings for the better future of the country.
