Caste census, or the movement to build a more inclusive India

After the 2019 election results, discussions around the caste census intensified between Rahul [Gandhi] and members of civil society, along with intellectuals advocating for greater social justice and representation. These conversations underscored how the BJP had strategically relied on OBC and SC voters to bolster its electoral strength while simultaneously marginalising them from meaningful positions of power.

Rahul began pushing for a caste census during internal party discussions, viewing it as a critical tool to rectify the underrepresentation of marginalised communities and directly challenge the BJP’s dominance among these voter blocs. His advocacy of the caste census not only demonstrated his commitment to empowering OBCs, SCs and other disadvantaged groups, but also became a pivotal element in shaping the Congress’s strategy to reclaim its standing in Indian politics. By making caste census a central issue, Rahul aimed to realign the party’s focus to social equity and inclusivity, offering a powerful counter-narrative to the BJP’s tactics.

The Congress party’s push for a caste census gained momentum through Rahul’s strident championing. To this end, background support was provided by key party seniors and organisational support from the Samruddha Bharat Foundation (SBF), an organisation committed to furthering the constitutional idea of India.

The SBF was pivotal in laying the groundwork for the census by advocating for policy reforms across the UPA and then in the INDIA parties.

In December 2021, the SBF organised a national OBC conclave where the idea of caste census was openly discussed, although Rahul did not attend this event. The conclave was intended to be a launchpad for a national push towards caste census, but Congress political strategists had advised postponing the initiative due to the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

The SBF further strengthened the cause by organising events in cities like Lucknow, Panchkula and Delhi, where Rahul consistently advocated for the census, bringing the issue to the forefront of the Congress campaign.

As a result, the issue continued to gather support within the Congress. Key events, such as the Udaipur Chintan Shivir in May 2022 and the eighty-fifth Congress plenary session in Raipur in February 2023, ensured that the issue remained a focal point of discussion.

At the Raipur session, Rahul linked the caste census to the legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru, emphasising its importance in understanding the true demographic representation of India’s marginalised communities and addressing their needs more effectively. It was clear that the caste census was no longer merely a political tool for Rahul but had become his personal life mission. His vision was bold: to bring attention to the 90 per cent of the population he claimed had been left out of the system and create a more inclusive India.

It was in 2023 that the CWC unanimously endorsed the caste census, marking a significant shift in the party’s internal strategy. In line with the party’s broader commitment to social justice, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had taken a significant step by amending Section VIA of the Congress party’s constitution, removing the cap on caste-based reservations within the party. This move aligned the party’s internal policies with its external advocacy for equitable representation of the SC, ST and OBC population. This amendment had sparked considerable debate within the party. Some voices had expressed concern about the potential consequences of such sweeping changes. However, Rahul had remained resolute, defending the move as essential to creating a more balanced and representative Congress. By pushing for the caste census and removing reservation caps, Congress presented itself as a party committed to uplifting disadvantaged communities and reshaping India’s electoral system to make it more inclusive.

However, the push for the caste census was not without resistance. The party faced opposition from within the political landscape and from the government. Efforts to stifle the conversation about the caste census, including media suppression, were evident. Yet, alternative media outlets and grassroots movements had surged, suggesting that the public, particularly marginalised communities, were increasingly receptive to the idea despite attempts to silence them.

The demand for caste census and the campaign surrounding constitutional reforms had a noticeable impact on voting patterns across India, reshaping the political landscape in favour of the Congress. As the elections drew nearer, the reverberations of Rahul’s steadfast commitment to caste census and the party’s broader push for social equity could be seen in the way various communities, particularly the OBCs, SCs and other marginalised groups, began to gravitate towards the Congress in key states.

Historically, these communities were divided in political allegiances, often courted by regional parties and even the ruling BJP in previous elections. However, the empowerment narrative woven around the caste census resonated deeply with these groups, many of whom had long felt sidelined in the national discourse. The Congress’s campaign had rekindled a sense of hope among them, offering a vision that directly addressed their concerns about representation, access to resources, and acknowledgement of their rightful place in India’s complex social fabric.

In Uttar Pradesh, where caste politics has always played a decisive role, the Congress’s promise of a caste census struck a powerful chord. Voters from the OBC and SC communities, who had previously aligned with the BSP and the BJP, began to shift their loyalties to the INDIA bloc. The Congress’s focus on caste-based representation offered what these parties had struggled to deliver—a voice for their communities. The party seemed to offer a comprehensive plan that could translate into meaningful policy change. In the heartland of Hindi-speaking India, this momentum had not only weakened the grip of the BJP but also created a new electoral reality for the Congress.

In the western and southern states, where the BJP had made significant inroads in the previous elections, the caste census narrative proved a formidable counterweight. In Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the push for the caste census triggered a shift among communities that had traditionally viewed Congress with scepticism. The Congress’s campaign had deftly linked the caste census to the larger issue of constitutional reforms, presenting it as a critical step toward safeguarding the rights of marginalised groups. By focusing on a constitutional framework that could remove the reservation cap and ensure greater representation, the Congress had signalled that it was not merely posturing but also intent on delivering systemic change.

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Excerpted from:

Title Contesting Democratic Deficit: An Inside Story of the 2024 Elections

Authors Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav

Publisher Rupa

Pages 212

Price Rs 595 (hardcover)