Caste Survey and Reservation: A New Political Uproar in Bihar

Bihar’s caste-based survey and the subsequent reservation policy have triggered a major political stomp. The Nitish Kumar-led government conducted a caste survey in 2023, revealing that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) together make up 63% of the state’s population. Based on these findings, the Bihar government proposed increasing the reservation quota in government jobs and educational institutions to 65%. However, in June 2024, the Patna High Court struck down this proposal, terming it unconstitutional. This ruling has intensified the ongoing political battle over caste-based policies in Bihar.

Bihar Vidhan Sabha New Image ASRSNEWS — _{^{source: navbharattimes.com}}

Background of the Caste Survey

The Bihar government initiated a caste-based survey in January 2023 to assess the socio-economic conditions of different communities. This survey aimed to gather data on all sections, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), OBCs, EBCs, and the general category.

Key Findings of the Survey:

OBC & EBC Population: 63%
Scheduled Castes (SCs): 19.7%
Scheduled Tribes (STs): 1.7%
General Category: 15.6%

The government argued that these statistics justify a revision of reservation policies to ensure equitable opportunities.

[IMAGES] Pie chart or bar graph showing caste-based population distribution in Bihar

The Reservation Proposal and Controversy

Using the caste survey data, the Bihar government proposed raising the reservation quota from 50% to 65% in government jobs and educational institutions.

[IMAGES] Infographic depicting the revised reservation quota

Revised Reservation Breakdown:

OBC & EBC: 33%
SC: 20%
ST: 2%
Women (existing separate quota): 35%

However, this move faced fierce opposition from political parties, upper-caste groups, and legal experts. The BJP and upper-caste organizations termed it a “vote-bank strategy”, arguing that it could deepen caste divisions in Bihar.

Patna High Court Verdict

In June 2024, the Patna High Court struck down the reservation expansion, declaring it unconstitutional.

[IMAGES] Image of Patna High Court or protests against the verdict

Key Points from the Judgment:

Exceeding 50% reservation violates constitutional limits (as per the Indra Sawhney case, 1992).
Caste-based surveys are not equivalent to a census and cannot be used as a basis for reservation.
Merit-based opportunities must not be compromised.

Following this decision, the Bihar government announced that it would challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court.

Political Reactions and Uproar

The verdict has intensified Bihar’s political landscape, with major parties taking opposing stands.

[IMAGES] Images of Tejashwi Yadav, Nitish Kumar, and BJP leaders reacting to the verdict

Major Political Responses:

RJD & JDU (Tejashwi Yadav & Nitish Kumar):
- Condemned the verdict, calling it an attack on social justice.
- Accused the BJP of being anti-reservation.
BJP:
- Supported the court’s decision, stating that the quota hike was unconstitutional.
- Demanded policies for economically weaker upper-caste communities.
Congress & Left Parties:
- Backed the Bihar government’s push for higher reservation.

What’s Next? Supreme Court Battle Ahead

With the Bihar government preparing to challenge the Patna High Court ruling in the Supreme Court, the battle over caste-based reservation is far from over.

[IMAGES] Supreme Court of India or Bihar Assembly debating reservation policies

If the Supreme Court upholds the High Court’s decision, Bihar’s reservation policy will need a major overhaul. However, if the ruling favors the state government, other states may follow Bihar’s lead in expanding quotas based on caste survey data.

Conclusion

The caste survey and reservation controversy have reignited the debate over social justice vs. constitutional limits in Bihar. While the Nitish Kumar government argues that increased reservation is necessary for backward communities, the opposition warns of caste-based polarization. With 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approaching, this issue is set to be a key political battleground.