Tackling Caste
Time to swing the pendulum towards universalist policies
Betraying a sense of caution, the Union cabinet has decided to set
up a Group of Ministers to discuss how best to tackle the issue of
enumerating caste in the ongoing census. On balance, the positives of
undertaking a caste count do not outweigh the negatives. There are
essentially two major problems in enumerating caste – with the
exercise itself and the thinking behind the process.
Given the fluid nature of caste as a social marker, trying to
collect accurate data is unfeasible. The British faced precisely this
problem when they attempted a caste census, leading to the abandonment
of the exercise in 1931. When one combines this with the unenviable
task of documenting castes among non-Hindus, the complexities become
self-evident. The idea of undertaking a caste count essentially stems
from the thinking that this would enable better delivery of the
benefits of welfare schemes. This reinforces the belief that the
reservation route is the only one that can lead to social empowerment.
However, this is not necessarily true.
The problem with proliferating caste quotas is that they can be a
zero-sum game, so that if some caste groups benefit others lose out.
This was the factor behind widespread Gujjar riots which paralysed the
state of Rajasthan two years back, leading to the deployment of the
armed forces. Multiplying caste quotas could result in spreading
social divisiveness, which the country can ill afford given a fragile
security situation. Enacting holistic development policies that seek
to address the aspirations of each and every community is a better
alternative. In the long run, focusing on building capacities whether
in terms of education, industries, infrastructure and jobs will yield
us far greater economic benefits, apart from diluting caste as a major
social denominator.
On the other hand, if one continues with the quota mentality and
extends it to even the private sector – as suggested by some quarters
in the government – it would hinder job creation and hobble economic
development. Even as things stand, rigid labour laws mean that the
private sector has little incentive to create formal sector employment
on a large scale. That's a major reason why Indian growth isn't
inclusive enough. Further political intervention in the job market
would only strengthen this skew. Besides, politicians should realise
that fragmenting the electorate along caste lines will erode the vote
base of not just the big national parties, but smaller caste-based
parties as well. Prudence calls for an enlightened approach, and the
implementation of policies that lift all boats.
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