It is not only sad but shocking to see politicisation of the forthcoming census. In Bihar, Mr. Nitish Kumar demands caste census. At the centre, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee demands the same. What is it behind their demand?

Obviously identification and localization of a particular group of people for the benefit of vote bank so that a section of community can be targeted in order to keep these politicians in power living a life of five-star comfort.

It also will put one community against the other.

And what benefit the common man will get? A few more millions will be driven into poverty just as one hundred million Indians have recently joined the category of "below poverty line". I just cannot comprehend what useful purpose it is going to serve. Can we not treat each human being as a human being rather than labeling him a Kurmi, a Brahman, a Kayasth, a Mushar or a Paasi? Can anyone tell me how to identify an individual of a particular caste in a crowded railway compartment or a crowd of people? Have they horn, three eyes, four hands, two mouths?

Caste is what made Bihar a poor, destitute, corrupt and crime ridden backward state. It is shocking that a Chief Minister of Bihar talking about caste. True, he did come to power on caste-based politics but he must never forget that he is the Chief Minister of Bihar and all Biharis, not the Chief Minister of a particular caste.

By demanding caste based census, he is not only encouraging casteism - a deadly evil in Bihar - but at the same time, dividing Biharis instead of uniting them. I blame Pranab Mukherjee too for his stupid statement that caste be considered in the next census.

India is burning. There is insurgency in the Northeast, Kashmir. There is Naxalite menace, female foeticide, honour killing, anti-North Indian persecution in Maharashtra, 75% of politicians are siphoning tax payers money into their Swiss Bank account; everyday thousands join the group of "below poverty line", malnourished children, hunger, anaemic women, no electricity, road, health care, education even after 63 years of independence, caste war and bloodshed, poor law and order situation.

The list goes on and on. And now, each Bihari and Indian will be asked what caste he/she belongs to. But then how can one say that a particular person really belongs to a particular caste? What are the visible signs on his body?

Please stop this nonsense of caste-based census. These are the things that divide a community, sow the seeds of discontent and resentment. These are the reason why we do not feel proud to call ourselves Indians. May I call upon every Indian and Bihari to rise up, say enough is enough and refuse to say which caste he/she belongs to?