Outdated Stats on OBCs

by Bhaskaranand Jha
Kolkata

June 1, 2006

Though coming as a relief for the anti-reservationists, Supreme Court’s directive to the center to justify the criteria for reservations to the OBCs is likely to lead to some fresher and newer controversies for the govt, as there is no unanimous consensus over the exact statistical data of OBCs. Whatever figure we have of OBCs seems to be politically distorted like the oft-quoted proverb – many minds, many mouths. I mean the statistical data regarding the exact figure of OBCs in India vary. According to Mandal Commission constituted in 1980,the OBCs form 52 per cent of population; while The National Survey Organization’s estimate is that it is 33 per cent. What is more, National Family Health Survey concludes that the figure is only 29 per cent.

It is a point to be noted that since the last one in 1931, no caste census has been conducted so far simply because it would divide the country. Then where have these statistical data showing the figures of OBCs come from? Isn’t it a point with a question mark? Moreover, census on the basis of castes will also flare up casteism in the country.

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