Nationwide Caste Census Approved: Bihar Parties Trade Barbs and Boasts Over Historic Move

New Delhi/Patna: The Union Cabinet’s decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming national census has ignited a flurry of political reactions across poll-bound Bihar, where caste remains a potent electoral force.

Speaking after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the move on Wednesday, stating: “The Cabinet Committee has decided that caste enumeration will be part of the upcoming census.” He did not, however, specify when the census would commence.

While asserting that census operations fall under the Centre’s purview, Vaishnaw accused opposition-ruled states of conducting caste surveys for “political reasons.” He emphasised that the Modi government is committed to a transparent, nationwide caste census — a first of its kind in independent India.

The announcement sparked immediate responses from Bihar’s key political players, each claiming ideological or historical precedence in the matter.

Sanjay Kumar Jha, national working president of JD(U), hailed the decision as “historic,” thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for what he described as a long-overdue step. “This will enable targeted welfare policies and help uplift the deprived sections,” Jha said, adding that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had already conducted a similar exercise in the state with “complete transparency.”

Echoing this, JD(U) lauded Nitish’s “Development with Justice” model, arguing that caste data is essential for addressing structural inequalities.

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, however, offered a sharp historical rebuttal. “It was our United Front government in 1996–97 that first cleared caste enumeration for the 2001 census,” he said. He blamed the subsequent Vajpayee-led NDA government for not following through and recalled how RJD and other socialist leaders disrupted Parliament in 2011 to demand a caste survey. “Those who called us casteist are now dancing to our agenda,” Lalu added, with characteristic flourish.

BJP leaders, meanwhile, praised the decision as a forward-looking and inclusive step. Bihar BJP president Dr Dilip Jaiswal called it a “historic moment,” adding: “This is the first time since Independence that a government has committed to knowing the true social composition of the country.” He took a swipe at Congress, accusing it of indulging in vote-bank politics while neglecting structural reforms.

LJP (Ram Vilas) president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan — an NDA ally — expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the move a “clear answer” to past doubts over his and his party’s stance on caste data. “This decision will reshape inclusive development and help create evidence-based, equitable policies,” he said.