Bihar Caste Survey: Report Likely To Impact Power Dynamics And Politics Among Upper Castes | Explained

Bihar's Mahagathbandhan government has released the state's much awaited caste survey data. The census report which has already caused a hubbub is likely to have an impact on the political scenario in the Nitish Kumar-led state as experts expect elections to become more caste-centric. Significantly, the caste survey data will also have an effect on the political representation among upper castes or savarnas in the state. The data reveals that the total population of Bihar is over 13 crore. 

According to the report, the upper castes or the unreserved constitute 15.52 per cent of the state's population. The Hindu population includes Bhumihars at 2.86 per cent, Brahmins at 3.66 per cent, Rajputs at 3.45 per cent and Kayasthas 0.60 per cent, while the general category Muslims including Syed, Pathan and Sheikh account for 4.8 per cent. 

The Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) comprise 36.01 per cent of the population, the Other Backward Classes (OBC) 27 per cent, Scheduled Castes 19.65 per cent and Scheduled Tribes account for 1.68 per cent. 

Political Power Dynamics Among The Upper Caste  

The Bhumihars who account for 2.86 per cent of the upper caste are at the third position in terms of population but they are politically the most powerful among the savarnas. 

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The Bhumihars have dominated the political landscape in Bihar with the state's first chief minister Krishna Singh to the current Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha. Eminent personalities who influenced the political scenario in Bihar like Kailashpati Mishra and the present Congress President Dr Akhilesh Prasad Singh also belong to this class. 

Janata Dal United (JDU) senior leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary who is also serving in the post of the state's Finance Minister belongs from the Bhumihar community. 

Increase In Number Of Muslim Upper Caste

The data observed an increase in the Muslim upper caste population with the number of Sheikhs, Syeds and Pathans among the community. This also marks a comparative decrease in the total population of upper caste Hindus since 1931. 

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Even though Bhumihars among the upper castes have emerged as the dominating class in the political field, the top posts now in the state are held by politicians belonging to the Other Backward Classes marking a significant change in the relationship between caste and politics. 

The Yadav community to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, "is the largest and accounts for 14.27 per cent of the state's population." Meanwhile Chief Minister Nitish Kumar belongs to the Kurmi community which form 2.87 per cent of the state's population. 

Bihar Additional Chief Secretary Vivek Kumar Singh on Monday release a caste-based census at the old secreteriat in Patna. (Photo credit: ANI)

However, there have so far been several petitioners challenging the caste-based survey in Bihar. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear the pleas on October 6.