Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress, even wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request an updated caste census. He claimed that without this information, meaningful social justice and empowerment programs would be lacking. Nitish Kumar, the leader of the JD (U) and the chief minister of Bihar, backed the Congress party’s demand.
The demand for a caste census is likely to test BJP’s outreach to the backward classes. While the Bihar unit of the BJP had supported a resolution for a caste census in the state, the party’s central leadership is yet to respond to the demand for it.
Second Phase Of Caste Census In Bihar
The second phase of the caste-based census has started in the State and will continue till May 15, said Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, DM, Patna on Wednesday (19 April 2022). The decision of a caste census was taken by the Bihar cabinet on June 2, last year, months after the Centre ruled out conducting such an exercise nationally. The first phase of the caste-based census in Bihar began on January 7 and ended on January 21. Informing about the involvement of people in the second phase of the caste-based census, DM Singh said, All the families are sharing information positively.
The second phase of the survey will involve gathering data on people from all castes, sub-castes, and socioeconomic conditions backgrounds.
The survey, in its second phase, would cover an estimated population of 12.70 crores across 2.58 crore households in 38 districts, further spread over 534 blocks and 261 urban local bodies. The survey would be completed by May 31, this year. A caste-based headcount will be conducted across all 38 districts in two stages. What do you think about this? Please comment.
