Page 24 - Developing Societies News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

This article is authored by Mayuri Gupta, Milon K. Banerji fellow, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

The release of the caste-based socio-economic survey by the Bihar government has become a major political issue in India. The survey revealed that Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Extremely Backward Castes (EBC) account for 63% of the state's population. This is the first time any state has released caste-based population data. The issue has gained attention from top leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. The caste census is seen as a potential weapon for opposition parties and a weak spot for the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The recent caste census in Bihar, which revealed that the combined population of backward classes and Dalits exceeds 80%, could have significant political implications for the BJP in UP. The BJP has been able to consolidate support from backward classes in UP in recent years, but this revelation could impact its stronghold in the state.

Data from the study bolsters the demands to remove the cap on 50% caste quota and conduct a similar exercise at a national level.

India News: The release of the Bihar caste survey is expected to have a significant impact on national politics, particularly on the BJP's Hindutva agenda. Analys