Caste Census in India

By

 Caste Census: Advantages and Concerns 


The practice of caste system in India has impacted the functioning of Indian society in the past, and it still influences the social, political and economical discourse of our country. In order to address the caste based discrimination in our country, several provisions for affirmative action are given under article 15 and 16 of the Indian constitution, and caste census helps the authority to get the relevant information about status of different caste in the society and help them formulate their policies better.




Advantages of Caste Census in India 

  • Better Policy Planning: Based on the latest data from a caste census, policymakers are better equipped with updated information to formulate tailor made policies as per the needs of the people and work for their welfare.

  • Updated Data: Caste census provides latest data about socio-economic conditions of various castes in the society.

  • Highlights the Shortcomings: Data from caste census helps judge the success of existing policies, laws and affirmative actions taken by the authorities to improve the socio-economic conditions of lower caste and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

  • Address Inclusion Errors: Caste system in India is complex with subcastes and hierarchies. Caste census help recognise those groups which are not included in the reserved categories and will help including them.

  • Guidance for Legal Actions: Caste census highlight the forms of discrimination which are possibly practiced against lower caste in a society and will help make laws and take legal actions against those atrocities. 


Concerns Regarding Caste Census in India 


  • Strengthen Division - Caste census may further solidify the division among different caste by fostering caste prejudices and may put one caste against another.

  • Not Well Defined - Caste census can create confusions as caste system is a complex structure with subcastes, and castes clubbed under SCs, STs and OBCs are not properly defined as how they are categorised and grouped together.

  • Vote Bank Politics - Data from a caste census can be misused and misinterpreted by some to misguide the public and foster hatred among them against other castes to gain political benefits. 


Way Forward 


• Along with caste census, special focus should also be given on women and economically poor section of society to gather information about their double vulnerability.

• Policies made based on caste census should focus on bridging the gap between different caste.


Caste census helps the authorities to work toward welfare of people, however it should be ensured that the data is not misused for political benefits and is used for collective development of society and change people's attitude towards lower caste people.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Secondary Agriculture: Benefits, Challenges and Way Forward for Country's Growth

By
Image
  Secondary Agriculture: Its Contribution to Country's Growth Secondary agriculture holds significant importance in India as it represents the crucial phase of value addition and processing in the agricultural value chain. This stage not only enhances the economic viability of the agricultural sector by providing additional income sources but also plays a pivotal role in rural development. The growth of agro-processing industries, gives India an opportunity to capitalize on the value inherent in its agricultural output, leading to increased employment opportunities and the development of ancillary services.  What is Secondary Agriculture?   Secondary agriculture refers to the value addition and processing activities that occur after the primary cultivation of crops. In this stage, raw agricultural products undergo various processes to transform into finished goods, creating a diverse range of products such as processed foods, beverages, textiles, biofuels, and more.    By add
Read more

Universal Basic Income: Why it is a good idea? What are the associated challenges and way forward

By
Image
  Universal Basic Income: Definition. Why it is a good idea? What are the associated challenges and way forward In order to counter the increasing economic disparities and ensure sustainable future for all, the concept of Universal Basic Income was introduced, which is seen as an effective option as Universal basic income promises unconditional guaranteed cash transfer to all it’s beneficiaries.  What is Universal Basic Income ? Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a social welfare concept in which all citizens or residents of a country receive a regular, unconditional sum of money from the government, regardless of any other income they might have. UBI is distributed at regular intervals, such as monthly or annually, ensuring a consistent income stream for individuals. The primary goals of UBI include poverty alleviation, reduction of income inequality, and providing individuals with financial security. Proponents argue that it can create a safety net for unpredictable economic condi
Read more

Impact of Mobile Phones on Children

By
Image
The Impacts of Mobile Phones on Socialization of Children as Child Cuddling is Being Replaced by Mobile Phones The shifting of family structure from joint family to nuclear family, rapid development and penetrations of IT services in people’s daily lives and busy work and daily schedules of both parents and their children has led to degradation of the traditional children and caregiver relationship which is replaced by human to gadgets relationship, as people tend to spend more time with their phones than with each other. This has made significant impacts on children and how they socialize. Impacts of increased screen time on Socialisation of Children   Positive Impacts Worldwide Connections: Children can now connect with people from all over the world , interact with them and learn from them.   Acquire Diverse Knowledge: With their mobile phones, children can now have access to numerous content which give them the opportunity to educate themselves about different topics rela
Read more