New Delhi:
The Bihar government on Monday released of data from a state-wide caste-based survey, which indicated that 36 per cent of the state’s population are from Extremely Backward Classes, 27.1 per cent are from Backward Classes, 19.7 per cent are from Scheduled Castes and 1.7 per cent are from Scheduled Tribes. The general population accounts for the remaining 15.5 per cent.
The release of this data comes as the Supreme Court continues to hear petitions challenging a Patna High Court’s judgment that paved the way for this controversial “caste-based headcount”.
Earlier today Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said he plans to call all nine parties that are part of the ruling coalition, including Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, to discuss next steps, which could include dealing with calls to increase OBC quotas now at 27 per cent.
In August, after the exercise was completed, Mr Kumar said the survey would be “beneficial for all” and “will enable the development of various sections of society, including the deprived.” The Chief Minister also said the survey – a topic that has divided the country’s political landscape – would identify areas that need development and said, “I am sure other states will also follow it.”
Also in August, when pressed on some political parties opposing the caste-based headcount, the Chief Minister said the exercise had been ordered with the support of all state parties.
This cross-party support, he indicated, included ally-turned-rival BJP.
The contentious nature of this exercise can be gauged from the fact the BJP’s state leaders endorsed the move despite the party opposing calls for a nation-wide caste-based census.
