š”š„ 'Savarna' Voters Fume Over BJP's Caste Census Move! But Where Will They Go? š¤š³ļø
- MediaFx
- May 6
- 2 min read
TL;DR š°
The BJP's unexpected decision to conduct a caste census has left its traditional upper-caste supportersāBrahmins, Thakurs, Baniyasāfeeling betrayed š .Ā While they express anger over potential shifts in reservation policies, they find themselves politically homeless, as no other party aligns with their interests š .Ā This move could reshape India's political landscape, echoing the upheaval of the Mandal Commission era š.
š§Ø BJP's Caste Census Bombshell š£
On April 30, 2025, the Modi government announced plans to include caste enumeration in the upcoming national census šļø.Ā This marked a significant policy shift for the BJP, which had previously dismissed such measures as divisive š§.Ā The decision aims to address long-standing demands for accurate data on caste demographics, potentially influencing affirmative action policies š.
š” Upper-Caste Outrage: Feeling Betrayed
Traditional BJP supporters from upper castes feel blindsided by this move š¤.Ā Activists like Anuradha Tiwari express a sense of betrayal, fearing that the census could lead to increased reservations for OBCs and SC/STs, thereby reducing opportunities for upper castes š.Ā The sentiment is that the BJP is compromising its core support base to appease other communities š§©.
š§ Memories of Mandal: DĆ©jĆ Vu?
The announcement has reignited memories of the 1990 Mandal Commission implementation, which led to widespread upper-caste protests and even self-immolations šÆļø.Ā Leaders like Raghvendra Singh warn of a potential repeat of such unrest if the BJP proceeds with the caste census without addressing upper-caste concerns š.
š³ļø Political Dilemma: Nowhere to Turn
Despite their discontent, upper-caste voters find themselves with limited political alternatives š.Ā The Congress party and other opposition groups have focused on marginalized communities, leaving upper castes feeling politically orphaned šļø.Ā Analysts suggest that while overt rebellion is unlikely, passive resistance through low voter turnout could impact BJP's electoral prospects š.
š§ MediaFx Opinion: A Step Towards Social Equity
From a socialist perspective, the caste census is a necessary step towards understanding and addressing systemic inequalities in Indian society š§®.Ā Accurate data is crucial for formulating policies that uplift marginalized communities and ensure equitable resource distribution āļø.Ā While the discomfort of upper-caste groups is understandable, the broader goal of social justice necessitates such measures š.
