The nation is debating whether or not to count caste in the ongoing census. There are divergent opinions on this sensitive subject. Even the cabinet seems to be divided on accepting this proposal put forth by several 
opposition parties. In fact, there are valid reasons on both sides. The government of India though resisted in the beginning, however conceded to the demand owing to political ramifications.
The caste based census was for the last time conducted in 1931. Since then, this practice was discontinued. Even after independence the caste census was not resumed though information about SC and ST population is counted. The founding fathers of Indian constitution and the leaders of early phase of post independent India must have had valid reasons for not taking up the caste census. But, this logic would not suffice to reject the demand. Yet an another explanation offered is that the 2011 census operations have already commenced and therefore it is not possible to attempt caste count now. But still this defense seems to be not convincing the advocates of caste census. The actual enumerations has not been taken up yet.
The most important fear expressed by those who are opposing the caste census is such an exercise shall perpetuate caste system. The caste polarization in the polity shall intensify. The post Mandal politics has seen caste assertion and census shall further fragment the political space in India. There are even doubts over the accuracy of the information thus collected. The enumerators, as pointed out by Home minister, lack the sociological sensitivity to collect and classify such information. Even the some people may deliberately give inaccurate information to boost up their caste constituencies. Any such inaccuracies will vitiate the entire census data. Indian census data is considered as authentic information even internationally. The census data is the basis for socio-economic planning and political activities. Therefore inaccurate census data has dangerous implications for the nation. Even if the government concedes to this demand, many advise that such an exercise should be delinked from census and should be taken up separately.
There is no uniformity in the status of caste in India. There is innumerable number of castes, sub castes, gotras, and clans. The nomenclature also varies significantly. Given this enormous diversity, caste data shall be a nightmare for those who compile and analyze the census data.
The caste is a highly subjective category. It can not be quantified. It is related to identity. Such perceptions change from time to time and place to place. For instance, the toddy tapping caste has different name in Telangana and Andhra regions. Even the pre-independent census that counted the caste did not yield uniform data due to these reasons. Therefore, the caste data collected through census can not be standardized and relied upon.
