Bihar’s Caste-Based Survey Reveals 63% of Population Comprised of OBCs and EBCs: Implications for Political Landscape

Patna, Bihar, October 2: In a significant revelation, the Bihar government has released the findings of a comprehensive caste-based survey, offering insights into the demographic composition of the state. The data unveils that a substantial portion of Bihar’s population falls under the category of Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), together constituting 63% of the total population. The survey results are released ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, providing valuable information for political planning and social justice initiatives.

Vivek Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, unveiled the data, which sheds light on the composition of Bihar’s 13-crore population. The findings reveal that a mere 15.52% belong to the general category, while the Scheduled Caste accounts for 19.65% and the Scheduled Tribe for 1.68% of the total population.

Of particular note is the dominance of Yadavs, an OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, who represent the largest share at 14.27% of the population. Other significant findings include Brahmins at 3.65%, Kurmis at 2.87%, Bhumihars at 2.86%, and Rajputs at 3.45%. Additionally, the Musahar caste accounts for 3% of the population.

The Bihar Jaati Adharit Ganana (caste-based survey) release faced several legal challenges. However, the Nitish Kumar government persisted, emphasizing the importance of this survey for social justice and equitable development. The survey process commenced last year after the Central Government clarified its inability to include caste-based headcounts in the census, except for SCs and STs.

The Central Government contested the move, asserting that no other entity, either constitutional or otherwise, had the authority to conduct a census or a similar exercise. Despite these legal disputes, the Patna High Court gave the green light for the caste survey in Bihar, and the Supreme Court upheld this decision, refusing to stay the order.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his response to the survey’s release on social media, stating, “Today, on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the data of the caste-based census conducted in Bihar has been published. Many congratulations to the entire team engaged in the work of caste-based enumeration!” He emphasized that the proposal for caste-based enumeration had received unanimous approval in the Legislature and that the data would inform development strategies for all sections of society.

Nitish Kumar’s coalition partner, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), also welcomed the survey as a historic moment. RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav remarked, “Today on Gandhi Jayanti, we all have become witnesses of this historic moment. Despite many conspiracies of BJP and legal hurdles, today Bihar government released the caste-based survey. These figures will set an example for the country in making holistic planning for proper development and progress of the deprived, neglected, and poor and in giving representation to marginalized groups in proportion to the population.”