The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of petitions challenging the Patna High Court’s decision that endorsed the caste-based survey initiated by the Bihar government. The apex court has rescheduled this significant case for November 7, 2024, amid ongoing debates over the implications of caste data collection on government policies and social equity.
In January 2023, the Bihar government launched a comprehensive survey to gather socio-economic information across different caste groups within the state. This move came after the Union government’s 2021 decision against including caste-based enumeration in the national Census. The state, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, argued that accurate data on caste demographics are essential for the effective implementation of targeted welfare programs and to address socio-economic disparities.
However, the survey’s legality was contested by various entities, including non-governmental organizations like Youth for Equality and Ek Soch Ek Prayas. These groups filed petitions after the Patna High Court on August 2, upheld the survey’s validity, asserting that it was within the state’s jurisdiction to collect such data for planning and development purposes.
As the Supreme Court gears up to review these challenges, the stakes are high. The outcome could potentially influence the future of caste-based surveys not just in Bihar but across other states contemplating similar measures. An affirmation by the court would validate the Bihar government’s approach, possibly encouraging other states to undertake their own demographic assessments. Conversely, a decision against the survey could impede Bihar’s current efforts and establish a precedent that might limit state-level demographic initiatives in the future.
