BJP’s Caste Census Shift, Political Compulsion or Another Masterstroke By PM Modi?

By Admin

01 May, 2025

In a surprise announcement that caught both the Opposition and political pundits off guard, the Modi government declared that the upcoming national census will include a caste-based survey. This move, which seemed to align with the demands of the Opposition, has sparked a range of reactions, raising questions about whether this is a political compulsion or a calculated masterstroke by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Announcement That Shook the Political Landscape

On Wednesday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) had decided to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming national census. “Caste enumeration should be transparently included in the census instead of surveys,” Vaishnaw said, emphasizing the need for transparency. He further added that previous surveys were conducted with political motives, creating doubts within society and undermining the fabric of social unity.

While it initially appeared that the government had bowed to the political pressure from the Opposition INDIA Bloc, the timing and rationale behind this decision are far more nuanced. The saffron party, which has been critical of the caste census being used as a political tool, has now embraced the idea, but with a strong emphasis on the need for a transparent, nationwide survey.

Opposition's Reaction: Claiming Credit for the Move

As expected, the Opposition has quickly claimed credit for this shift in policy. The 26-party alliance, known as the INDIA bloc, wasted no time in celebrating the announcement. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed the decision and pressed the government to reveal a timeline for when the caste census would take place.

"We had said in Parliament that we will make the caste census happen. We had also said that we would scrap the 50 per cent cap, the artificial wall that is in place. Narendra Modi used to say that there are just four castes. Don’t know what happened, but suddenly after 11 years, caste census has been announced. We completely support it, but we want a timeline," Gandhi said.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav also hailed the decision as a victory for socialists, reiterating that socialist ideals like caste census had been proposed decades ago. He lauded the move as a triumph of the Opposition's efforts to push the government toward implementing such policies.

Other allies of the BJP, such as JD(U) and LJP, also expressed support for the decision. JD(U) credited Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for laying the groundwork by conducting a caste survey in Bihar. LJP president Chirag Paswan called it a step in the national interest, one his party had long advocated for.

A Political Calculation Behind the Decision?

While the Opposition celebrates, a deeper look suggests that the Modi government’s decision might be a well-calculated move aimed at neutralizing the Opposition's strongest political weapon ahead of crucial elections. The timing of the announcement, just months before the Bihar elections, raises the possibility that the government may have decided to steal the Opposition's thunder.

The Opposition, particularly the INDIA bloc led by Congress and RJD, has been pushing hard for a caste census. By conceding this demand, the BJP may have anticipated the Opposition's moves, thus weakening their campaign strategy. The ruling party hopes that the caste census will resonate with voters, especially in Bihar, where caste dynamics play a significant role in elections.

BJP’s Strategic Move in the Context of Bihar Elections

With the Bihar elections fast approaching, the BJP has strategically shifted its stance on the caste census. The government’s sudden embrace of this policy might be an attempt to pre-empt the Opposition’s narrative, which could have been built around the caste issue. By adopting the caste census, the BJP positions itself as responsive to the social concerns of marginalized communities, potentially gaining electoral traction.

While the Opposition will continue to claim that their pressure forced the government's hand, this shift could be seen as a politically astute move by the BJP. The inclusion of caste data in the national census could help the government paint itself as a party that listens to the demands of the people, while weakening the Opposition’s hold on key social issues.

Conclusion: A Masterstroke in the Making?

The Modi government’s surprise move to include caste enumeration in the national census is a calculated response to a complex political landscape. While the Opposition celebrates this as a victory, the timing and broader implications suggest that the BJP may be playing a long game. Whether this will prove to be a political compulsion or another masterstroke by PM Modi remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the political narrative is about to shift in the run-up to the Bihar elections.