Bihar recently released data from a survey based on different caste groups. According to the report, 36% of the population belongs to Extremely Backward Classes, 27.1% to Backward Classes, 19.7% to Scheduled Castes, and 1.7% to Scheduled Tribes.
The general population constitutes 15.5%. The survey also revealed that the Yadav community, to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, makes up 14.27% of all Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories.
Political Impact and Electoral Influence
This information, released just before the 2024 Lok Sabha election, has significant political implications. The report highlights the numerical strength and electoral influence of OBCs in Bihar.
It is likely to lead to demands for increased quotas for OBCs, which are currently capped at 27%. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar praised the release of this data on Gandhi Jayanti.
आज गांधी जयंती के शुभ अवसर पर बिहार में कराई गई जाति आधारित गणना के आंकड़े प्रकाशित कर दिए गए हैं। जाति आधारित गणना के कार्य में लगी हुई पूरी टीम को बहुत-बहुत बधाई !
जाति आधारित गणना के लिए सर्वसम्मति से विधानमंडल में प्रस्ताव पारित किया गया था।…
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) October 2, 2023
Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister, described the report as a historic moment, emphasizing the government’s commitment to respecting this data in policies and intentions. Lalu Prasad Yadav, his father and party leader, also welcomed the release despite challenges faced.
कम समय में जाति आधारित सर्वे के आँकड़े एकत्रित एवं उन्हें प्रकाशित कर बिहार आज फिर एक ऐतिहासिक क्षण का गवाह बना।
दशकों के संघर्ष ने एक मील का पत्थर हासिल किया। इस सर्वेक्षण ने ना सिर्फ वर्षों से लंबित जातिगत आंकड़े प्रदान किये हैं बल्कि उनकी सामाजिक आर्थिक स्थिति का भी ठोस… pic.twitter.com/Xqzpzf3t3z
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) October 2, 2023
BJP’s Critique and Government Responses
In contrast, the BJP criticized the caste-based survey report. Union Minister Giriraj Singh called it “eyewash.” The BJP’s state leader, Samrat Choudhary, mentioned that they had supported the survey but would provide an official response after reviewing the methodology used in the survey.
