Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government on Monday released the results of its controversial caste-based survey just months before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The census revealed that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) constitute 63 per cent of the state’s population. The census, also known as Bihar Jati Adharit Ganana, shows that Scheduled Castes make up more than 19 percent of the 13 million population, while Scheduled Tribes make up 1.68 per cent. The upper castes or Savarnas form 15.52 percent of the state’s population.

A detailed breakdown of the survey shows that Backward Classes constitute 27 per cent of the population, while Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) constitute 36 per cent. Together they form the numerically powerful Other Backward Classes (OBCs) who have dominated Bihar politics since the Mandal wave. Bhumihars constitute 2.86 percent of the population, while Brahmins constitute 3.66 per cent. Kurmi, which includes Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accounts for 2.87 percent of the population. Musahars make up 3 per cent and Yadavs — the community of Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav — 14 percent of the population.

The Bihar government will not stop at caste census publication alone. They are also planning to release the financial census of every family in Bihar as the govt has collected all the data. Tomorrow in all parties’ meetings, Tejaswi Yadav & Nitish Kumar can release the data on the financial status of every Bihar family. The schemes & social justice will be scientifically designed with both caste & financial data. This is happening for the first time in any Indian state, as its demand was peaking across the sections. 

Just after the release of the data Nitish Kumar’s INDIA alliance partner the grand old party of India Congress posted on ‘X,’ Caste surveys in Bihar will help the administration address the socio-economic inequality in the state. A similar census at the national level will help the government to properly include OBCs, Dalits, Tribals and women. Shri Rahul Gandhi always raised his voice and demanded to list the boxes. Under the leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji, the UPA government conducted a caste-based census. But the Modi government is not releasing the bill. The Congress government in Karnataka also conducted a caste-based census and we have always supported it. If the Modi government fails to complete the caste enumeration, we will start the exercise as soon as the Congress government is formed in 2024. We make sure that every part of the society gets its share.”

“The exercise sets the tone for the “national caste census that will be carried out when we form the next government at the centre, highlighting the vote of the united opposition INDIA in the 2024 elections,” said Lalu Prasad Yadav, former CM of Bihar and ally of Nitish Kumar.