Counting means not shooting in the dark

The Cabinet's approval on Wednesday to include caste enumeration as part of the general census process is an important, and welcome, development. Despite increased internal migration, urbanisation and other modernising imperatives, caste, like it or not, continues to be part of the Indian reality show. So, not having accurate data on this important parameter is not just a major lacuna, but also a playing field for politically-charged propaganda. GoI's decision is a step towards remedying this data gap and false narrative-building. But it must ensure robust and transparent data collection, and ensure its proper analysis and utilisation.

Caste has been a determinant, of varying importance across states, in accessing resources. But, so far, as with much of data-poor India in other arenas, we have relied on anecdotal evidence on caste to determine its impact on access to resources and opportunities. Robust and transparent data can change that. Caste is but one in a basket of parameters that policymakers use to assess requirements and impact of schemes, and to design policies. More reliable the data points the better, and more granular the policy design. The temptation to view the decision through political lenses is immense. Done well and transparently, the decision to enumerate castes can minimise politicisation that has become signature of the Indian political system. The manner in which data is collected is critical.

Resource allocation without reliable quantitative information is like throwing darts in the dark. Unenumerated, caste 'data' has also been misused. Transparency will limit manipulation and misappropriation. This is the government's chance to set things right. At least till caste is, one sincerely hopes, 'annihilated' some day.