Editorial:

Caste-wise Census

Preliminary consultations took place at a meeting held under the Chairmanship of Shiv Raj Patil, the Central Home Minister, on 21st May, about the decennial census operations to be held in 2011. Regarding caste-wise enumeration of the people, they have left the matter to be decided by the Union Government.
The caste-wise census was taken first time in 1881 and last time in 1931. From 1941 no such enumeration took place. Those who oppose caste-wise census argue that it will go against the goal of abolishing caste system and is against the Constitution.
But those who stand for caste-wise enumeration clarify that the Constitution speaks only about the abolition of ‘untouchability’ and not caste. This is only a political issue and not a constitutional one. So the Union Government is competent to take a decision on it.
We wish that the Government should have a clear view of and honest approach in this issue:
No one can deny the fact that the Central Government has not done anything during the past 61 years after obtaining Independence to eradicate caste.
Those who oppose the registration of caste during population enumeration are at heart casteists; instead of promoting caste eradication, they observe caste in their daily life; they protect caste order (Jaathi Dharma).
Those who advocate the principle of Social Justice to be put into practice, stand for caste-wise enumeration, even though they sincerely aim at caste eradication. They are wantonly portrayed as casteists by the dominant upper castes and by the powerful media in their control. For example, they painted our former Prime Minister Thiru V.P.Singh as a casteist, just because he implemented a part of the recommendations of the Second All India Backward Classes Commission under B.P.Mandal.
The Constitution does not abolish caste. Only ‘Untouchability’ is abolished as per Article 17. Periyar convened a conference for the abolition of social indignity in Chennai (then Madras) in December 1973. A resolution adopted at the conference urged the substitution of the word ‘caste’ in place of ‘untouchability’ in the Article 17, to make caste annihilation legal. Dravidar Kazhagam is still agitating for a proper constitutional amendment incorporating the spirit of the 1973 resolution.
The word ‘caste’ appears in 18 places in the Indian Constitution. Indian Society and Hindu religion are caste ridden. Hindus constitute about 87 per cent of the population, and we can hardly envisage Hinduism devoid of caste.
Caste sentiments, caste order, and caste habits and customs dominate the lives of Hindus from birth to death. Why do they refuse to see this reality, behaving like ostrich?
Millions of people were denied education in the name of their caste for thousands of years. To enable them enjoy the benefits of social justice, should we not bring to light the measure of deprivation they are subjected to? Only then will we be able to decide rationally about the extent of reservation they deserve.
Correct diagnosis is essential before proper treatment is given. Is there anything worse than dubbing the physicians who make the diagnosis as persons spreading the disease?
The new arrangement of the central and the state governments enacting laws to provide reservation for the socially oppressed has come to stay. So it is not wrong to take caste-wise census.
We cannot accuse those who advocate an assessment of people living in poverty as encouraging poverty. In the same manner we cannot say that caste-wise census amounts to revival of caste system. It is a deceptive argument to say so.
It is essential that all the political parties well-known for their advocacy of Social Justice, particularly those like DMK., Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Samajwadi Party should declare as their stand that caste-wise census is essential in 2011.
People who follow the custom of wearing the thread across their torso (Poonool or Juneja or Yagnopavitham) to assert their caste identity and superiority have begun to pose through their writings and speeches that they are the heroes come out to fight against caste. They are worried that caste-wise census will expose their monopolistic position in education and administration.
It should be kept in mind that the upper caste anti-reservationists used the non-availability of caste-wise census after 1931 as a pretext to argue against allotment of the legitimate quota for the Backward Communities in educational and employment opportunities.
During election is it not true that parties put up candidates on the basis of caste considerations?
Higher Courts have given judgements recognising castes as a factor. There are about 6000 castes in India. Caste system is a lawfully recognised reality.
The social activists, public bodies and political parties should urge the Central government to include caste details in the census to be taken in 2011.