We need to move from a caste census with a capital C to one with a small c, Pg11.

Key Highlights:

• The Indian government announced a caste census, sparking debate on its implications for social justice.
• Two books by Trina Vithayathil and Anand Teltumbde offer different perspectives on the caste census.
• Teltumbde views the census as a ploy to divide society, while Vithayathil emphasizes the need for careful execution.
• The article suggests expanding caste enumeration beyond the decennial Census of India to other surveys.

Detailed Insights:

• Anand Teltumbde argues that a simple headcount of jatis could reinforce caste identity and hinder broader social coalitions.
• Satish Deshpande suggests that a caste census can reveal the privileges of upper castes by providing data on education, occupation, and economic status.
• Trina Vithayathil's book highlights the history of caste enumeration and the challenges faced by the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC).
• The article suggests that the caste census should include all castes and religious communities, with data available at disaggregate levels.
• Expanding caste enumeration to other surveys like the Economic Census and All India Survey of Higher Education can provide a comprehensive view of inequality.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Caste Census: Enumeration of the population based on their respective castes.
• Jati: Sub-divisions within the broader caste categories, often based on occupation.
• Affirmative Action: Policies designed to address historical and ongoing discrimination.
• Social Justice: The concept of fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities in society.