Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, has faced strains within the INDIA alliance, leaving him seemingly distant from the Opposition bloc as he seeks to solidify his political prominence. However, a significant turning point occurred on Monday with the release of the state’s caste survey data.
This newly unveiled data holds the potential to fortify Nitish Kumar’s position as a staunch advocate for the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Mahadalits – crucial voting demographics that no political party or alliance can afford to overlook, especially with the parliamentary elections looming next year.
Empowering Bihar’s Marginalized: Key Survey Insights
Let’s delve into the essential findings of the survey that could reshape the political landscape of Bihar:
1. Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) Dominance
- The EBCs emerge as the most influential voting block, constituting a substantial 36.01% of the state’s population. This revelation underscores Nitish Kumar’s commitment to addressing the concerns of this pivotal group.
2. Non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBCs) Influence
- The OBCs follow closely behind, representing 27.12% of Bihar’s population. Within this category, Yadavs, the largest social group, make up 14.26%. Nitish Kumar’s appeal extends beyond specific caste lines, resonating with a broad OBC audience.
3. Empowering the Mahadalits
- The survey reveals that Mahadalits constitute a noteworthy portion of Bihar’s population, standing at over 19.65%. This figure surpasses the 15% reported in the 2011 Census. Nitish Kumar’s policies and initiatives appear to have made a significant impact on the Mahadalit community.
Inclusivity Beyond Caste: The Pasmanda Muslims
- It’s crucial to note that the EBC and OBC data encompass Pasmanda Muslims, emphasizing Nitish Kumar’s inclusive approach to politics that transcends caste boundaries.
A Brighter Political Horizon for Nitish Kumar
With these survey results in hand, Nitish Kumar is poised to consolidate his position as a leader who champions the rights and aspirations of Bihar’s marginalized communities. His appeal stretches across caste lines, making him a formidable contender in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
In conclusion, the Bihar caste survey data has not only reaffirmed Nitish Kumar’s political relevance but has also underscored the importance of addressing the needs and concerns of diverse voter groups. As the political landscape evolves, Nitish Kumar remains at the forefront, navigating the complexities of Bihar’s diverse demographics with finesse and determination.
Caste-wise Population Percentage in Bihar
The Bihar government has disclosed the caste-wise population percentages in the state. According to the latest figures, Bihar’s current total population stands at 137,725,310.
Here are some of the key caste-wise population percentages:
- Yadav: 14%
- Bhumihar: 2.86%
- Kurmi: 2.87%
- Musahar: 0.3%
- Brahmin: 3.66%
- Rajput: 3.45%
Religious Demographics and Percentages
Religious demographics are also an important aspect of the Bihar Caste Census Report:
- Hindu: 81.99%
- Islam: 17.70%
- Christianity: 0.05%
- Sikh: 0.011%
- Buddhist: 0.0851%
- Jain: 0.0096%
- Other Religions: 0.1274%
- No Religion: 0.0016%
Population Breakdown by Category in Bihar
The report provides a breakdown of Bihar’s population by various categories:
- Backward Class: 27.12%
- Extremely Backward Class: 36.01%
- Scheduled Caste: 19.65%
- Scheduled Tribe: 1.68%
- General/Unreserved: 15.5%
In conclusion, we have provided you with an in-depth overview of the Bihar Caste Census Report, including caste-wise population percentages, religious demographics, and population breakdown by category. This information will help you stay informed about Bihar’s demographics and make the most of this valuable data.
To check and download the Bihar Caste Census Report PDF, you can follow these simple steps:
- Click on the direct link provided under the “Bihar Caste Census Report 2023.”
- A list of all 14 pages of the report will appear.
- You can easily check and download the entire list for your reference.
“While Nitish Kumar’s political importance in the state is on the wane, he continues to command anywhere between 5-7% votes entirely on his own. Whichever way he swings could significantly benefit that alliance. He will naturally claim credit for the caste survey and it may even shore up his importance. But these polls are not going to be fought on just the caste survey. Price rise and unemployment are the issues,” said an RJD leader. The survey data’s release also holds significance in light of Nitish’s depleting strength in the state. In the last Assembly polls, though the JD(U)-BJP combine won the polls, the tally of Nitish’s party fell to 43 from 71 constituencies in the 2015 elections. The BJP with 74 seats became the senior partner in the alliance. Now with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which has 75 constituencies, he is again CM with far fewer seats than its partner. “Regardless of political rhetoric, the reality is that these findings will serve as a crucial tool in tailoring our policies to cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of various castes and classes. In Bihar, targeted interventions through customized policies have significantly improved the lives of millions. We applaud our leader for paving the way, and we reiterate our commitment to conducting a pan-India caste census in 2024 if our government gets power at the Centre,” Jha said. Unlike a few months ago, Nitish is not among the prime movers in the INDIA alliance at present and Rahul Gandhi has turned caste census into a national issue ahead of a crucial series of Assembly elections. Of late, the Bihar CM has taken divergent lines on some key issues picked by the INDIA alliance. But with the survey results out, Nitish may yet find himself back again in the thick of things in the Opposition bloc and underscore his continued political relevance. “Rahul Gandhi is today going around the country speaking about caste census. But Nitish Kumar raised it three years ago, followed it up with action, fought a court battle and got it done. As the champion of the extremely backward castes and non-Yadav OBCs, it puts him leaps ahead of other leaders in the Hindi heartland. This message is not just going to impact Bihar but even percolate to UP in the context of the 2024 polls,” said a senior leader of the Janata Dal (United), the CM’s party. Notably, it was Nitish who created the political constituencies of EBCs and Mahadalits to compensate for the inadequate numbers of his own caste, Kurmis, who the survey has enumerated to be around 3% of the population. This social engineering, achieved in his first term itself, held Nitish in good stead politically for over a decade. As his social base once again shows signs of drifting away, the caste survey could be used as a glue to keep his flock together. ChatGPT
“While Nitish Kumar’s political importance in the state is on the wane, he continues to command anywhere between 5-7% of the votes entirely on his own. Whichever way he swings could significantly benefit that alliance. He will naturally claim credit for the caste survey, and it may even shore up his importance. But these polls are not going to be fought on just the caste survey. Price rise and unemployment are the issues,” said an RJD leader.
The release of the survey data also holds significance in light of Nitish’s decreasing strength in the state. In the last Assembly polls, though the JD(U)-BJP combine won the elections, the tally of Nitish’s party fell to 43 from 71 constituencies in the 2015 elections. The BJP, with 74 seats, became the senior partner in the alliance. Now, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which has 75 constituencies, he is again the Chief Minister with far fewer seats than its partner.
“Regardless of political rhetoric, the reality is that these findings will serve as a crucial tool in tailoring our policies to cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of various castes and classes. In Bihar, targeted interventions through customized policies have significantly improved the lives of millions. We applaud our leader for paving the way, and we reiterate our commitment to conducting a pan-India caste census in 2024 if our government gets power at the Centre,” Jha said.
Unlike a few months ago, Nitish is not among the prime movers in the INDIA alliance at present, and Rahul Gandhi has turned the caste census into a national issue ahead of a crucial series of Assembly elections. Of late, the Bihar CM has taken divergent lines on some key issues picked by the INDIA alliance. But with the survey results out, Nitish may yet find himself back again in the thick of things in the Opposition bloc and underscore his continued political relevance.
“Rahul Gandhi is today going around the country speaking about the caste census. But Nitish Kumar raised it three years ago, followed it up with action, fought a court battle and got it done. As the champion of the extremely backward castes and non-Yadav OBCs, it puts him leaps ahead of other leaders in the Hindi heartland. This message is not just going to impact Bihar but even percolate to UP in the context of the 2024 polls,” said a senior leader of the Janata Dal (United), the CM’s party.
Notably, it was Nitish who created the political constituencies of EBCs and Mahadalits to compensate for the inadequate numbers of his own caste, Kurmis, who the survey has enumerated to be around 3% of the population. This social engineering, achieved in his first term itself, held Nitish in good stead politically for over a decade. As his social base once again shows signs of drifting away, the caste survey could be used as a glue to keep his flock together.