Bihar Election 2025: In Bihar politics, caste is not a reality, but a power. This is the axis on which all the wheels of politics revolve. Here in every election, not leaders, castes decide candidates. It is as important for any party to know which caste is dominated by every street, every panchayat and every assembly as the name of the candidate. In such a situation, when the Bihar government announced the ‘caste -based census’, the land of politics was shaken. This is not just about data. This can be a decision to completely change Bihar’s politics, social balance and power equations. The question is, is this step towards social justice or a thoughtful electoral maneuver? And the most important question will benefit from this and whose politics will stagger?
How did the movement demand for caste based census
The demand for caste -based census is not new. Leaders of backward classes argue that neither policies can be made nor a fair distribution of resources without correct data. While the central government continued to cut off from it, the politics of Bihar took it hands-on. Both Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav described it as ‘the foundation stone of social justice’ and also implemented it. This was the moment when the opponents realized that the ‘politics of counting’ has started.
Mathematics of counting more than calculation: Who is the master of this politics?
The biggest benefit in this entire exercise is the possibility of those who come from backward, backward and Dalit classes. Leaders like Tejashwi Yadav, who are from the OBC class themselves, are describing this entire process as the revolution of social representation. Their argument is if the population of OBC is more than 50%, then the limit of reservation should also increase for them, share in schemes. Parallel to this, Nitish Kumar was seen returning to this issue in his old social justice avatar. This issue for him is a chance of political revival. It can be like a political lifeline for him to be separated from the BJP and again as the ‘leader of the backward’.
Who can be in loss?
BJP is the most pressure on caste -based census. The party has always talked about nationalism, development and organization above caste politics. But the caste data in a state like Bihar means to be public, the party’s ‘Modi brand’ strategy will now have to swim itself in the sea of ethnic figures. Apart from this, some leaders and parties coming from the upper caste are considering this initiative as a danger of ‘new constitution’. Their fear is that this may cause a storm of social polarization and new demands of reservation, which will increase political instability.
What does the census say?
The data released by the Bihar government revealed that the population of OBC and EBC is more than 63%. This figure became a political weapon for those who did politics of social justice. Now the opposition is demanding that the reservation limit be increased from 50% to 65-70% on this basis. Its direct impact will not only be seen in jobs and education, but will also be seen till the distribution of power and ticket distribution of seats.
Status of political parties: Who stands?
RJD (Tejashwi Yadav): In support with full force. They consider it ‘beginning of social change’.
JDU (Nitish Kumar): He is calling himself its father. Considering it as his political rebirth.
BJP: Not uncomfortable but completely in opposition. Currently, ‘Development vs. caste’ is airing the debate.
Congress and Left parties:In support, but uncomfortable with the leadership of Tejashwi.
Savarna organizations and some regional parties: In protest. Calls it a conspiracy to ‘bind politics into ethnic cuttings’.
Will this change?
The public is now questioning that life will change life or only the faces of power? Will they get school, hospital and job by knowing the number of OBC or EBC? Or is this a tool to create a new vote bank? Experts believe that if there is a change in policies based on this data, balance in development plans and participation in administrative representation increases, it can be a historical change.
New equation of Inquilab or Power from counting?
Caste -based census is not just a government process in Bihar, it is a change of DNA of politics. It can convert Tejashwi Yadav into a symbol of justice from ‘youth leader’. It can once again establish Nitish Kumar as the backward Messiah and it can force the BJP to create a new strategy. But the biggest question is, will this count to open the path of social justice or start a new political loot of votes?