Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again advocated for a caste survey and an economic review to ascertain who possesses how much wealth and asserted that this will be the first task of the INDIA bloc if it is voted to power.Addressing students at “Nyay Manch – Ab India Bolega” in the national capital, Gandhi said an INDIA bloc government will also abolish the Agniveer scheme and compensate the 1.5 lakh youngsters who were selected but not given entry into the armed forces.”What is happening today is that OBCs are being fooled and a lot is being told to them but the main issue of how much wealth is lying with whom is not known,” he added.
Tag: Caste survey
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Lalu praises Rahul for social justice principle, says no difficulty in deciding opposition’s PM face
Express News Service
PATNA: With the Opposition bloc ‘INDIA’ yet to resolve the contentious issue of deciding its Prime Ministerial face for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, RJD chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday heaped praise on former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his adherence to the principle of social justice.
Speaking on the occasion of Bihar’s first chief minister Sri Krishna Singh’s birth anniversary at the Congress headquarters here, Lalu said, “We have kept the flag of social justice high and so Rahul is also doing.”
He also praised Rahul for announcing that a caste-based survey would be conducted in the entire country if the ‘INDIA’ alliance is voted to power at the centre in 2024. The RJD president also contended that the Prime Ministerial candidate for the ‘INDIA’ alliance would be decided without any difficulty.
Incidentally, Lalu did not talk about alliance partner and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a single time when he was applauding Rahul for his ‘adherence’ to the principle of social justice and his announcement for the caste-based survey.
Lalu said that the BJP was desperate after the release of the caste-based survey and questioned how it was possible for any caste having a population of one per cent to demand more posts. The RJD supremo claimed that power would be “shared in proportion” to the population of various castes and that the BJP would be moved out of power.
This was Lalu’s first visit to the Congress headquarters ‘Sadaqat Ashram’ after six years. Congress leaders said that the last time Lalu had visited Sadaquat Ashram was in 2017.
“We are working together and we are going to organise a ‘Remove BJP, Save Country’ rally in the state capital. The wave of change will emanating from there and it will sweep the entire country as BJP is set to suffer a crushing defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election,” Lalu said.
He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS would not be able to do anything in the election.
Lalu also claimed that the BJP knew well it would lose in assembly elections across the five states to be held in November and would also suffer defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He contended that it was the reason central agencies like ED, CBI and the Income Tax department were conducting raids on the premises of opposition leaders and lodging cases against them. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
PATNA: With the Opposition bloc ‘INDIA’ yet to resolve the contentious issue of deciding its Prime Ministerial face for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, RJD chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday heaped praise on former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his adherence to the principle of social justice.
Speaking on the occasion of Bihar’s first chief minister Sri Krishna Singh’s birth anniversary at the Congress headquarters here, Lalu said, “We have kept the flag of social justice high and so Rahul is also doing.”
He also praised Rahul for announcing that a caste-based survey would be conducted in the entire country if the ‘INDIA’ alliance is voted to power at the centre in 2024. The RJD president also contended that the Prime Ministerial candidate for the ‘INDIA’ alliance would be decided without any difficulty.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
Incidentally, Lalu did not talk about alliance partner and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a single time when he was applauding Rahul for his ‘adherence’ to the principle of social justice and his announcement for the caste-based survey.
Lalu said that the BJP was desperate after the release of the caste-based survey and questioned how it was possible for any caste having a population of one per cent to demand more posts. The RJD supremo claimed that power would be “shared in proportion” to the population of various castes and that the BJP would be moved out of power.
This was Lalu’s first visit to the Congress headquarters ‘Sadaqat Ashram’ after six years. Congress leaders said that the last time Lalu had visited Sadaquat Ashram was in 2017.
“We are working together and we are going to organise a ‘Remove BJP, Save Country’ rally in the state capital. The wave of change will emanating from there and it will sweep the entire country as BJP is set to suffer a crushing defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election,” Lalu said.
He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS would not be able to do anything in the election.
Lalu also claimed that the BJP knew well it would lose in assembly elections across the five states to be held in November and would also suffer defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He contended that it was the reason central agencies like ED, CBI and the Income Tax department were conducting raids on the premises of opposition leaders and lodging cases against them. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
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Like Bihar, caste survey will be carried out in Rajasthan, says CM Ashok Gehlot ahead of assembly polls
By PTI
JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that a caste survey will be carried out in the state, on the lines of a similar exercise conducted in Bihar.
The issue was discussed on Friday at a core committee meeting of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) held at the party’s war room here. Apart from Gehlot, the meeting was attended by Congress in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Randhawa, RPCC president Govind Singh Dotasra and other leaders.
“The Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste survey like the one held in Bihar,” Gehlot told reporters on Friday after the meeting. He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s concept of caste survey and participation in proportion to the population would be furthered in the state.
“Therefore, we have decided that keeping in mind the mandate of the party, the Rajasthan government should declare this campaign,” he said.
“There are various castes within the country. People of various religions live here. Different castes do different jobs. If we know how much population of which caste is there, we can know what plans we have to make for them. It will be easier for us to prepare schemes caste-wise,” he said.
Randhawa said discussions on the yatra on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) issue were also held in the meeting, apart from the caste-based survey.
Earlier, the Congress had planned to take out a five-day yatra in eastern Rajasthan to demand national project status for the ERCP that would address the irrigation and drinking water needs of 13 districts. However, the party postponed it.
Rajasthan Congress president Dotasra on Friday said a crucial meeting will be held on Monday in which dates of the yatra on the ERCP issue will be decided. The slogan of the Congress’ election campaign will be – ‘Kaam Kiya Dil Se, Congress Fir Se’, he added. The 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election is expected to be held in or before December this year.
READ MORE | BJP chief Nadda asks party leaders not to target caste-based survey report in Bihar
JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that a caste survey will be carried out in the state, on the lines of a similar exercise conducted in Bihar.
The issue was discussed on Friday at a core committee meeting of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) held at the party’s war room here. Apart from Gehlot, the meeting was attended by Congress in-charge for Rajasthan Sukhjinder Randhawa, RPCC president Govind Singh Dotasra and other leaders.
“The Rajasthan government will also conduct a caste survey like the one held in Bihar,” Gehlot told reporters on Friday after the meeting. He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s concept of caste survey and participation in proportion to the population would be furthered in the state.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });
“Therefore, we have decided that keeping in mind the mandate of the party, the Rajasthan government should declare this campaign,” he said.
“There are various castes within the country. People of various religions live here. Different castes do different jobs. If we know how much population of which caste is there, we can know what plans we have to make for them. It will be easier for us to prepare schemes caste-wise,” he said.
Randhawa said discussions on the yatra on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) issue were also held in the meeting, apart from the caste-based survey.
Earlier, the Congress had planned to take out a five-day yatra in eastern Rajasthan to demand national project status for the ERCP that would address the irrigation and drinking water needs of 13 districts. However, the party postponed it.
Rajasthan Congress president Dotasra on Friday said a crucial meeting will be held on Monday in which dates of the yatra on the ERCP issue will be decided. The slogan of the Congress’ election campaign will be – ‘Kaam Kiya Dil Se, Congress Fir Se’, he added. The 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election is expected to be held in or before December this year.
READ MORE | BJP chief Nadda asks party leaders not to target caste-based survey report in Bihar
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Priyanka Gandhi promises caste survey in Chhattisgarh if Congress retains power after polls
By PTI
KANKER: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said if her party retains power in Chhattisgarh after the upcoming assembly polls, a caste census will be carried out in the state on the lines of a similar exercise conducted in Bihar.
Addressing ‘Nagariya Nikaay Evam Panchayati Raj Mahasammlen’, an event of the Congress government in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, she also promised 10 lakh houses for the poor if her party gets elected again in the polls due by the year-end.
Hitting out at the BJP-led government at the Centre, Gandhi alleged it is for the rich and has no concern for the poor or the middle class.
“If the Congress party is once again elected to power in Chhattisgarh, a caste census will be carried out in the state on the lines of a caste survey conducted in Bihar. I have spoken to (Chief Minister Bhupesh) Baghel ji in this regard,” she said.
Citing results of Bihar’s caste survey, Gandhi said 84 per cent of the population of that state comprises people belonging to Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
“Is the strength of people belonging to OBC, SC, ST communities in top posts 84 per cent? Don’t they have rights? Why can’t there be a caste census? It must be carried out,” she said.
ALSO READ | BJP chief Nadda asks party leaders not to target caste-based survey report in Bihar
The ruling party’s announcement is being seen as a major move to woo Other Backward Classes (OBC), who account for about 45 per cent of the state’s population, in run up to the polls.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader said guarantees given by him are just hollow promises.
“What happened to Modi’s guarantee of depositing Rs 15 lakh into bank accounts of every citizen and of generating crores of jobs? Whenever a question is asked, Modi ji gives a new guarantee. His guarantees are hollow guarantees,” she said.
Gandhi said the BJP-led government at the Centre has weakened farmers in the country.
Farmers in the country are earning just Rs 27 per day, while Adani and other industrialists are making Rs 1,600 crore per day, she said.
“They (BJP) just want the country’s assets to be handed over to their industrialists friends and then divert them (assets/money) through them to the party. And then they keep on spending (money) in elections. Their only aim is to remain in power, not the welfare of people,” Gandhi alleged.
Gandhi claimed the PM had procured two aircraft cost Rs 8,000 crore each, and had spent Rs 20,000 core on the new Parliament building as well as Rs 27,000 crore for the Yashobhoomi (international convention) complex.
“But when you talk about the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), he says there is no money. There is money for industrialists friends but not for you (citizens). Do you want such a CM (in the state) who takes your assets and gives you nothing? The BJP government is for the rich and is not concerned about the poor and middle class,” she told the gathering.
Gandhi said the BJP misleads people with religion and issues linked to public sentiments when topics like OPS and caste census are discussed, adding the party’s only aim was to hold on to power and not welfare of citizens.
She said her grandmother Indira Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, her father Rajiv Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi had been in constant touch with the people of Bastar, due to which a relationship was established between them.
The Bhupesh Baghel government is taking forward this tradition and legacy (of engaging with people of Bastar to bring about development of the region), Gandhi said.
She hit out at the previous Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh (2003-2018) and claimed there was rule of violence in the state during the BJP regime.
After coming to power five years ago, the Congress pulled the Naxalite-affected state out of the clutches of violence, Gandhi said.
She said the Baghel government has worked for the welfare of the poor, backwards, tribals and women, adding it was the Congress which brought in 33 per cent reservation for women in panchayat bodies as well as MNREGA.
The powers of panchayats have been curtailed in BJP-ruled states, while Congress governments are working to empower people by ensuring their rights, Gandhi said.
In Chhattisgarh, the Congress government has implemented Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and given powers to people and strengthened democracy, she added.
“When you assess state governments of our party and BJP, you will understand what the Congress governments have been doing. You will see a lot of difference between Congress-ruled states and those (BJP-ruled) states. Our government has fulfilled its promises,” she told the gathering.
The PM says farmers of Chhattisgarh are getting maximum return for paddy because of him, which shows his intention of wanting to take credit for the state government’s work, Gandhi claimed.
“I want to ask the PM why farmers in his (Lok Sabha) constituency Varanasi are getting Rs 1200-Rs 1400 (per quintal) for paddy,” Gandhi said.
KANKER: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday said if her party retains power in Chhattisgarh after the upcoming assembly polls, a caste census will be carried out in the state on the lines of a similar exercise conducted in Bihar.
Addressing ‘Nagariya Nikaay Evam Panchayati Raj Mahasammlen’, an event of the Congress government in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, she also promised 10 lakh houses for the poor if her party gets elected again in the polls due by the year-end.
Hitting out at the BJP-led government at the Centre, Gandhi alleged it is for the rich and has no concern for the poor or the middle class.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
“If the Congress party is once again elected to power in Chhattisgarh, a caste census will be carried out in the state on the lines of a caste survey conducted in Bihar. I have spoken to (Chief Minister Bhupesh) Baghel ji in this regard,” she said.
Citing results of Bihar’s caste survey, Gandhi said 84 per cent of the population of that state comprises people belonging to Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.
“Is the strength of people belonging to OBC, SC, ST communities in top posts 84 per cent? Don’t they have rights? Why can’t there be a caste census? It must be carried out,” she said.
ALSO READ | BJP chief Nadda asks party leaders not to target caste-based survey report in Bihar
The ruling party’s announcement is being seen as a major move to woo Other Backward Classes (OBC), who account for about 45 per cent of the state’s population, in run up to the polls.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader said guarantees given by him are just hollow promises.
“What happened to Modi’s guarantee of depositing Rs 15 lakh into bank accounts of every citizen and of generating crores of jobs? Whenever a question is asked, Modi ji gives a new guarantee. His guarantees are hollow guarantees,” she said.
Gandhi said the BJP-led government at the Centre has weakened farmers in the country.
Farmers in the country are earning just Rs 27 per day, while Adani and other industrialists are making Rs 1,600 crore per day, she said.
“They (BJP) just want the country’s assets to be handed over to their industrialists friends and then divert them (assets/money) through them to the party. And then they keep on spending (money) in elections. Their only aim is to remain in power, not the welfare of people,” Gandhi alleged.
Gandhi claimed the PM had procured two aircraft cost Rs 8,000 crore each, and had spent Rs 20,000 core on the new Parliament building as well as Rs 27,000 crore for the Yashobhoomi (international convention) complex.
“But when you talk about the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), he says there is no money. There is money for industrialists friends but not for you (citizens). Do you want such a CM (in the state) who takes your assets and gives you nothing? The BJP government is for the rich and is not concerned about the poor and middle class,” she told the gathering.
Gandhi said the BJP misleads people with religion and issues linked to public sentiments when topics like OPS and caste census are discussed, adding the party’s only aim was to hold on to power and not welfare of citizens.
She said her grandmother Indira Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, her father Rajiv Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi had been in constant touch with the people of Bastar, due to which a relationship was established between them.
The Bhupesh Baghel government is taking forward this tradition and legacy (of engaging with people of Bastar to bring about development of the region), Gandhi said.
She hit out at the previous Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh (2003-2018) and claimed there was rule of violence in the state during the BJP regime.
After coming to power five years ago, the Congress pulled the Naxalite-affected state out of the clutches of violence, Gandhi said.
She said the Baghel government has worked for the welfare of the poor, backwards, tribals and women, adding it was the Congress which brought in 33 per cent reservation for women in panchayat bodies as well as MNREGA.
The powers of panchayats have been curtailed in BJP-ruled states, while Congress governments are working to empower people by ensuring their rights, Gandhi said.
In Chhattisgarh, the Congress government has implemented Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and given powers to people and strengthened democracy, she added.
“When you assess state governments of our party and BJP, you will understand what the Congress governments have been doing. You will see a lot of difference between Congress-ruled states and those (BJP-ruled) states. Our government has fulfilled its promises,” she told the gathering.
The PM says farmers of Chhattisgarh are getting maximum return for paddy because of him, which shows his intention of wanting to take credit for the state government’s work, Gandhi claimed.
“I want to ask the PM why farmers in his (Lok Sabha) constituency Varanasi are getting Rs 1200-Rs 1400 (per quintal) for paddy,” Gandhi said.
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Supreme Court refuses to restrain Bihar govt from publishing further data from caste survey
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday refused to restrain the Bihar government from publishing further data from its caste survey, saying it cannot stop the state from taking any policy decision.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S V N Bhatti issued a formal notice on a batch of pleas challenging the August 1 order of the Patna High Court that gave the go-ahead for the caste survey in Bihar. It listed the matter in January 2024.
The top court rejected the objections of the petitioners that the state government had preempted the stay order by publishing some data and demanded that a complete stay should be ordered on further publication of data.
“We are not staying anything at this moment. We cannot stop the state govt or any govt from making a policy decision. That would be wrong. We are going to examine the other issue regarding the power of the state govt to conduct this exercise,” the bench said.
Senior advocate Aprajita Singh, appearing for the petitioners, said there was a breach of privacy in the matter and the High Court order was wrong.
To this, the bench said since the name and other identities of any individual have not been published, therefore the argument that there was a breach of privacy may not be correct.
“The more important issue for consideration of the court is a breakdown of data and its availability to the public,” the bench said.
On October 2, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar released findings of its caste survey, months ahead of the 2024 Parliamentary elections. The data revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.
READ MORE | TN parties demand the state government to hold caste survey
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday refused to restrain the Bihar government from publishing further data from its caste survey, saying it cannot stop the state from taking any policy decision.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S V N Bhatti issued a formal notice on a batch of pleas challenging the August 1 order of the Patna High Court that gave the go-ahead for the caste survey in Bihar. It listed the matter in January 2024.
The top court rejected the objections of the petitioners that the state government had preempted the stay order by publishing some data and demanded that a complete stay should be ordered on further publication of data.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
“We are not staying anything at this moment. We cannot stop the state govt or any govt from making a policy decision. That would be wrong. We are going to examine the other issue regarding the power of the state govt to conduct this exercise,” the bench said.
Senior advocate Aprajita Singh, appearing for the petitioners, said there was a breach of privacy in the matter and the High Court order was wrong.
To this, the bench said since the name and other identities of any individual have not been published, therefore the argument that there was a breach of privacy may not be correct.
“The more important issue for consideration of the court is a breakdown of data and its availability to the public,” the bench said.
On October 2, the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar released findings of its caste survey, months ahead of the 2024 Parliamentary elections. The data revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.
READ MORE | TN parties demand the state government to hold caste survey
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LJP chief Chirag raises questions on caste-based survey, alleges Paswans not counted properly
Express News Service
PATNA: LJP (Ram Vilas) chief and Jamui MP Chirag Paswan on Wednesday questioned the authenticity of the caste-based survey report and claimed that members of the Paswan caste were not counted properly.
The caste-based survey report was published on Monday as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had convened an all-party meeting on Tuesday to share details of the data collected during the survey.
Chirag’s party is the constituent of NDA and is known for his hard criticism of Nitish.
LJP (Ram Vilas) chief said that people of Paswan caste had not been counted in the caste-based survey properly, alleging that the survey was conducted with a political motive. He claimed that the population of some castes had been shown rising and that of some castes reducing, adding, that members of the Paswan caste were not covered properly in the survey.
The Bihar government has not released the socio-economic data of the survey so far. After the release of the data, the state government will have information about the economic, occupational and educational qualifications of every caste, sub-caste, religion, and community.
The socio-economic data will reveal how much land one has, whether he has a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, whether he has cultivable land or whether he has a kutcha house for living or a permanent house. Meanwhile, AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman claimed that the survey report was incomplete and a lot of effort had to be made to rectify errors.
He claimed that the Muslim population in the Seemanchal region of the state had not been counted properly. He said that the state government should formulate policies for the betterment of economically and socially weaker sections of the society, particularly of the Muslim population. AIMIM had raised the demand for raising reservation quota on the basis of the caste survey report. The CPI-ML, which is also a constituent of the grand alliance, had lent its support to the AIMIM’s demand.
PATNA: LJP (Ram Vilas) chief and Jamui MP Chirag Paswan on Wednesday questioned the authenticity of the caste-based survey report and claimed that members of the Paswan caste were not counted properly.
The caste-based survey report was published on Monday as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had convened an all-party meeting on Tuesday to share details of the data collected during the survey.
Chirag’s party is the constituent of NDA and is known for his hard criticism of Nitish.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
LJP (Ram Vilas) chief said that people of Paswan caste had not been counted in the caste-based survey properly, alleging that the survey was conducted with a political motive. He claimed that the population of some castes had been shown rising and that of some castes reducing, adding, that members of the Paswan caste were not covered properly in the survey.
The Bihar government has not released the socio-economic data of the survey so far. After the release of the data, the state government will have information about the economic, occupational and educational qualifications of every caste, sub-caste, religion, and community.
The socio-economic data will reveal how much land one has, whether he has a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, whether he has cultivable land or whether he has a kutcha house for living or a permanent house. Meanwhile, AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman claimed that the survey report was incomplete and a lot of effort had to be made to rectify errors.
He claimed that the Muslim population in the Seemanchal region of the state had not been counted properly. He said that the state government should formulate policies for the betterment of economically and socially weaker sections of the society, particularly of the Muslim population. AIMIM had raised the demand for raising reservation quota on the basis of the caste survey report. The CPI-ML, which is also a constituent of the grand alliance, had lent its support to the AIMIM’s demand.
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OBCs and EBCs form nearly two-thirds of Bihar population, caste survey reveals
By PTI
PATNA: The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday released findings of its much-awaited caste survey which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.
According to the data released here by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state’s total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which the Extremely Backward Classes (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the Other Backward Classes at 27.13 per cent.
The survey also stated that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, were the largest in terms of the population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total.
Dalits, also known as the Scheduled Castes, accounted for 19.65 per cent of the total population in the state, which is also home to nearly 22 lakh (1.68 per cent) people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.
Those belonging to the “unreserved” category, which denotes the proverbial “upper castes” who dominated politics till the Mandal wave of the 1990s, comprise 15.52 per cent of the total population.
The survey also establishes that the state’s population is overwhelmingly Hindu, with the majority community comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims (17.70 per cent).
Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a miniscule presence, together making up for less than one per cent of the total population.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came out with a statement lauding the teams of government officials who undertook the gigantic exercise.
He also said, “A meeting will soon be convened of all the nine political parties with an electoral presence in the state legislature and the facts and figures will be shared with them.”
RJD president Lalu Prasad, who is Kumar’s ally as well as the father of his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, also issued a statement, declaring that the exercise will set the tone for “a nationwide caste census which will be undertaken when we form the next government at the Centre”.
Both Prasad and Kumar have played an instrumental role in the formation of the INDIA coalition, which affirmed its commitment to holding a caste census at a meeting it held in Bengaluru recently.
Notably, the survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.
The last time, a headcount of all castes was undertaken, was way back in 1931.
Those calling for a fresh caste survey insist that a new estimate was required mainly for the weaker sections of the society which, with improved life expectancy in the post-Independence era, must have seen a rise in their proportion of the population.
The state cabinet gave its nod to hold a caste survey on June 2 last year when it also allocated an amount of Rs 500 crore for the mammoth exercise.
The survey briefly ran into rough weather when it was stayed by the Patna High Court which was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the exercise.
However, the deadline it then set, of February 2023, was overshot and the survey itself could take off no sooner than January 7 this year.
Leaders of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state have been alleging that those filing petitions were “BJP supporters”, a charge denied by the saffron party which underscores that it was in the government when the cabinet nod was given for the survey.
PATNA: The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday released findings of its much-awaited caste survey which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.
According to the data released here by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state’s total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which the Extremely Backward Classes (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the Other Backward Classes at 27.13 per cent.
The survey also stated that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, were the largest in terms of the population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
Dalits, also known as the Scheduled Castes, accounted for 19.65 per cent of the total population in the state, which is also home to nearly 22 lakh (1.68 per cent) people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.
Those belonging to the “unreserved” category, which denotes the proverbial “upper castes” who dominated politics till the Mandal wave of the 1990s, comprise 15.52 per cent of the total population.
The survey also establishes that the state’s population is overwhelmingly Hindu, with the majority community comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims (17.70 per cent).
Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a miniscule presence, together making up for less than one per cent of the total population.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came out with a statement lauding the teams of government officials who undertook the gigantic exercise.
He also said, “A meeting will soon be convened of all the nine political parties with an electoral presence in the state legislature and the facts and figures will be shared with them.”
RJD president Lalu Prasad, who is Kumar’s ally as well as the father of his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, also issued a statement, declaring that the exercise will set the tone for “a nationwide caste census which will be undertaken when we form the next government at the Centre”.
Both Prasad and Kumar have played an instrumental role in the formation of the INDIA coalition, which affirmed its commitment to holding a caste census at a meeting it held in Bengaluru recently.
Notably, the survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.
The last time, a headcount of all castes was undertaken, was way back in 1931.
Those calling for a fresh caste survey insist that a new estimate was required mainly for the weaker sections of the society which, with improved life expectancy in the post-Independence era, must have seen a rise in their proportion of the population.
The state cabinet gave its nod to hold a caste survey on June 2 last year when it also allocated an amount of Rs 500 crore for the mammoth exercise.
The survey briefly ran into rough weather when it was stayed by the Patna High Court which was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the exercise.
However, the deadline it then set, of February 2023, was overshot and the survey itself could take off no sooner than January 7 this year.
Leaders of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state have been alleging that those filing petitions were “BJP supporters”, a charge denied by the saffron party which underscores that it was in the government when the cabinet nod was given for the survey.
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Modi govt hostile towards caste survey in Bihar: Lalu Prasad
By PTI
PATNA: RJD president Lalu Prasad on Saturday charged the Narendra Modi government at the Centre with having a hostile attitude towards the caste survey conducted in Bihar.
Addressing a book release function here, Lalu Prasad claimed oppression of backward classes, SCs and STs continued since “feudal traits do not go away so easily”.
“The prime minister of this country seems distressed with castes. He keeps mentioning ‘Jati’ in his speeches, perhaps he thinks this social reality will not let him enjoy peace. He is right if he thinks so,” remarked Prasad with a hint of sarcasm, without mentioning Modi or the BJP by name.
He, however, alleged that the BJP government at the Centre betrayed its “hatred” towards the caste survey ordered by his ally, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, when the Solicitor General of India made a submission before the Supreme Court which was hearing petitions challenging the exercise.
“Why must there not be a caste survey? Without having the actual data, we are remaining content with affirmative action based on presumptions, and allocations for weaker sections doled out as if it were a great favour when it was a matter of right,” said the former chief minister of Bihar, arguably the tallest leader to emerge out of the 1990s Mandal wave.
Nitish Kumar had on Friday said the caste-based survey in the state has been completed and the state government would soon make the data public.
Lalu Prasad, who takes pride in having been at the helm in Bihar when recommendations of Mandal Commission were implemented and BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani was arrested, cutting short the “Ram Rath Yatra”, also reaffirmed his commitment to “social justice and communal harmony”.
“I have fought for these two ideals and will continue to fight”, said the RJD supremo, who is a key member of the opposition coalition INDIA.
The doughty leader who has been pulled down by old age and ill health, spoke for barely 10 minutes, seated in his chair, but offered a few glimpses of his legendary sense of humour to those present at the venue.
Turning towards journalist Manoj Mitta, whose book “Caste Pride: Battles for Equality in Hindu India” he released here, Prasad told the audience: “When I received the invitation for this function, I first felt a sense of fear, looking at the thickness of the tome”.
“I would love to read this book. But that would require me to streamline my routine so that I can take some time off,” said the RJD supremo, evoking peals of laughter.
He added, amid guffaws, “I can also take the help of my party colleague Shivanand Tiwary who is present here. He is a scholar. He can do the hard work of going through the book and I shall benefit from the knowledge he gains.”
PATNA: RJD president Lalu Prasad on Saturday charged the Narendra Modi government at the Centre with having a hostile attitude towards the caste survey conducted in Bihar.
Addressing a book release function here, Lalu Prasad claimed oppression of backward classes, SCs and STs continued since “feudal traits do not go away so easily”.
“The prime minister of this country seems distressed with castes. He keeps mentioning ‘Jati’ in his speeches, perhaps he thinks this social reality will not let him enjoy peace. He is right if he thinks so,” remarked Prasad with a hint of sarcasm, without mentioning Modi or the BJP by name.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
He, however, alleged that the BJP government at the Centre betrayed its “hatred” towards the caste survey ordered by his ally, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, when the Solicitor General of India made a submission before the Supreme Court which was hearing petitions challenging the exercise.
“Why must there not be a caste survey? Without having the actual data, we are remaining content with affirmative action based on presumptions, and allocations for weaker sections doled out as if it were a great favour when it was a matter of right,” said the former chief minister of Bihar, arguably the tallest leader to emerge out of the 1990s Mandal wave.
Nitish Kumar had on Friday said the caste-based survey in the state has been completed and the state government would soon make the data public.
Lalu Prasad, who takes pride in having been at the helm in Bihar when recommendations of Mandal Commission were implemented and BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani was arrested, cutting short the “Ram Rath Yatra”, also reaffirmed his commitment to “social justice and communal harmony”.
“I have fought for these two ideals and will continue to fight”, said the RJD supremo, who is a key member of the opposition coalition INDIA.
The doughty leader who has been pulled down by old age and ill health, spoke for barely 10 minutes, seated in his chair, but offered a few glimpses of his legendary sense of humour to those present at the venue.
Turning towards journalist Manoj Mitta, whose book “Caste Pride: Battles for Equality in Hindu India” he released here, Prasad told the audience: “When I received the invitation for this function, I first felt a sense of fear, looking at the thickness of the tome”.
“I would love to read this book. But that would require me to streamline my routine so that I can take some time off,” said the RJD supremo, evoking peals of laughter.
He added, amid guffaws, “I can also take the help of my party colleague Shivanand Tiwary who is present here. He is a scholar. He can do the hard work of going through the book and I shall benefit from the knowledge he gains.”
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Bihar govt moves SC against Patna HC stay on caste survey
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Bihar government has moved the Supreme Court challenging a Patna High Court order granting a stay on the caste survey it was conducting, contending “huge loss” would be caused if the exercise is stopped.
In an appeal filed before the top court against the May 4 order of the high court, the state government said the stay will adversely affect the entire exercise.
The state government said the collection of caste-based data is a constitutional mandate under Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution.
Article 15 of the Constitution says the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, while Article 16 states there shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.
“The State has already completed more than 80 per cent of the survey work in some districts and less than 10 per cent of work is pending. The entire machinery is working at ground level. There shall be no harm in completing the exercise subject to final adjudication of the dispute.”
The time gap to complete the survey would adversely affect the survey since this would not be contemporaneous data.
The stay of collection of data itself would cause a huge loss to the State since, if finally the action of the State is upheld, the State would be required to put logistic in place with additional expenditure and burden on public exchequer,” the plea said.
Hearing a clutch of petitions, the high court had directed the state government to immediately stop the caste-based survey, and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed.
The high court has fixed July 3 as the next date for the hearing.
“Prima facie, we are of the opinion that the state has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament,” the HC had said.
Expressing concern, the court noted the government’s intention was to share data from the survey with leaders of different parties in the state assembly.
There definitely arises the larger question of the right to privacy, which the Supreme Court has held to be a facet of right to life, it had said.
“The state cannot attempt to carry out a caste census in the garb of a survey, especially when the state has absolutely no legislative competence and, in that circumstance, neither can an executive order be sustained under Article 162 of the Constitution of India,” the court said.
“The essential difference between a ‘census’ and ‘survey’ is that the former contemplates collection of accurate facts and verifiable details, while a survey is intended at collection and analysis of opinions and perceptions of the general public which may be aimed at a specific community or group of people or the extended community of a polity,” it said.
The first round of caste survey in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21.
The second round started on April 15 and was supposed to continue till May 15.
The petitions before the high court were filed by a social outfit and some individuals, who had last month moved the Supreme Court after their request for an interim relief in the form of a stay on the survey was turned down.
The apex court had refused to interfere and referred them back to the high court with direction that their petition be decided expeditiously.
NEW DELHI: The Bihar government has moved the Supreme Court challenging a Patna High Court order granting a stay on the caste survey it was conducting, contending “huge loss” would be caused if the exercise is stopped.
In an appeal filed before the top court against the May 4 order of the high court, the state government said the stay will adversely affect the entire exercise.
The state government said the collection of caste-based data is a constitutional mandate under Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
Article 15 of the Constitution says the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, while Article 16 states there shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.
“The State has already completed more than 80 per cent of the survey work in some districts and less than 10 per cent of work is pending. The entire machinery is working at ground level. There shall be no harm in completing the exercise subject to final adjudication of the dispute.”
The time gap to complete the survey would adversely affect the survey since this would not be contemporaneous data.
The stay of collection of data itself would cause a huge loss to the State since, if finally the action of the State is upheld, the State would be required to put logistic in place with additional expenditure and burden on public exchequer,” the plea said.
Hearing a clutch of petitions, the high court had directed the state government to immediately stop the caste-based survey, and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed.
The high court has fixed July 3 as the next date for the hearing.
“Prima facie, we are of the opinion that the state has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament,” the HC had said.
Expressing concern, the court noted the government’s intention was to share data from the survey with leaders of different parties in the state assembly.
There definitely arises the larger question of the right to privacy, which the Supreme Court has held to be a facet of right to life, it had said.
“The state cannot attempt to carry out a caste census in the garb of a survey, especially when the state has absolutely no legislative competence and, in that circumstance, neither can an executive order be sustained under Article 162 of the Constitution of India,” the court said.
“The essential difference between a ‘census’ and ‘survey’ is that the former contemplates collection of accurate facts and verifiable details, while a survey is intended at collection and analysis of opinions and perceptions of the general public which may be aimed at a specific community or group of people or the extended community of a polity,” it said.
The first round of caste survey in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21.
The second round started on April 15 and was supposed to continue till May 15.
The petitions before the high court were filed by a social outfit and some individuals, who had last month moved the Supreme Court after their request for an interim relief in the form of a stay on the survey was turned down.
The apex court had refused to interfere and referred them back to the high court with direction that their petition be decided expeditiously.
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Patna HC stays Bihar govt’s caste survey, says state has no power to carry out the census
By PTI
PATNA: The Patna High Court on Thursday ordered a stay on the caste survey being conducted by the state government.
Hearing a bunch of petitions, a division bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Madhuresh Prasad directed the government to immediately stop the caste-based survey, and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed.
The court fixed July 7 as the next date for the hearing.
“We are of the considered opinion that the petitioners have made out a prima facie case against the continuation of the process of caste-based survey, as attempted by the State of Bihar. There is also the question raised of data integrity and security which has to be more elaborately addressed by the State,” the court said.
“Prima facie, we are of the opinion that the State has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament,” it added.
ALSO READ | Can Bihar’s caste survey prove a headache for PM Modi?
Expressing concern, the court noted the government’s intention to share data from the survey with the leaders of different parties in the state assembly.
“There definitely arises the larger question of the right to privacy, which the Supreme Court has held to be a facet of the right to life,” it said.
The first round of caste surveys in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21.
The second round started on April 15 and was supposed to continue till May 15.
The petitions before the high court was filed by a social outfit and some individuals, who had last month moved the Supreme Court after their request for an ‘interim relief’ in the form of a stay on the survey was turned down.
The apex court refused to interfere as well and referred them back to the high court with directions that their petition be decided expeditiously.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has maintained that the state is not conducting a caste census but only collecting information related to people’s economic status and their caste so that specific steps could be taken by the government to serve them better.
PATNA: The Patna High Court on Thursday ordered a stay on the caste survey being conducted by the state government.
Hearing a bunch of petitions, a division bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Madhuresh Prasad directed the government to immediately stop the caste-based survey, and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed.
The court fixed July 7 as the next date for the hearing.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
“We are of the considered opinion that the petitioners have made out a prima facie case against the continuation of the process of caste-based survey, as attempted by the State of Bihar. There is also the question raised of data integrity and security which has to be more elaborately addressed by the State,” the court said.
“Prima facie, we are of the opinion that the State has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament,” it added.
ALSO READ | Can Bihar’s caste survey prove a headache for PM Modi?
Expressing concern, the court noted the government’s intention to share data from the survey with the leaders of different parties in the state assembly.
“There definitely arises the larger question of the right to privacy, which the Supreme Court has held to be a facet of the right to life,” it said.
The first round of caste surveys in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21.
The second round started on April 15 and was supposed to continue till May 15.
The petitions before the high court was filed by a social outfit and some individuals, who had last month moved the Supreme Court after their request for an ‘interim relief’ in the form of a stay on the survey was turned down.
The apex court refused to interfere as well and referred them back to the high court with directions that their petition be decided expeditiously.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has maintained that the state is not conducting a caste census but only collecting information related to people’s economic status and their caste so that specific steps could be taken by the government to serve them better.