Bihar caste census: SC to hear the matter on October 6

The Supreme Court of India will hear the matter of Bihar Caste Census on October 6. The top coup has given the date after the petitioner’s lawyer mentioned before the apex court that the Bihar government had published caste survey data. The matter was brought before a bench consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti.

According to the sources, the petitioner’s lawyer apprised the court that the Bihar Government has already published the caste survey data, prompting concerns and legal challenges from various quarters. Notably, the High Court issued the order on August 1 to go ahead with the caste census. ‘Ek Soch Ek Prayas’ and ‘Youth for Equality’ are among the organisation who have contested the legality and authority of the caste-based survey.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that it has listed the pleas for hearing. It is to be noted here that the statement from the bench made the remark after Mehta sought adjournment in a different matter pertaining to the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd and sought listing it on Friday.

All about Bihar caste census

Bihar government on Monday released findings of its much-awaited caste survey months ahead of the 2024 Parliamentary elections, which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63% of the state’s total population. The report was made public during a press conference in the state’s capital.

According to the data released, Scheduled Castes in the state make up 19.65% and the Scheduled Tribes 1.68% of the population of the state.

The data also said that the Hindus comprise 81.99% of the population, Muslims 17.7%, Christians 0.05%, Sikhs 0.01%, Buddhists 0.08% and other religions 0.12%. 

The data said that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, is the largest and accounts for 14.27% of the state’s population. 

On the other hand, Kushwaha and Kurmi communities form 4.27% and 2.87% of the population, the caste survey said. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar belongs to the Kurmi community in the state.  

 The total population of Bihar is more than 13 crores.