In Kerala, parties weigh in on a caste census Premium

Pitting caste and religion against another would be electorally damaging to both the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front and the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala

Mainstream political parties in Kerala are grappling with the contentious issue of carrying out a caste survey in the State.

The Congress, which is leading the INDIA bloc, has championed having a nationwide caste census , positioning it as a countermeasure against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre. However, the results of the five Assembly elections suggest that the political dividends may not align with its expectations.

In contrast, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M]-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is reluctant, instead planning to build consensus on holding a Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) in Kerala. The party’s hesitancy could stem from the Nair Service Society’s assertion that a caste census is politically motivated and threatens societal harmony. The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, representing the Ezhava/Thiyya community, which initially was opposed to the idea, appears ambivalent now, recognising the potential impact on the CPI(M)’s crucial vote bank.

The SNDP Yogam leadership also feels that a caste census would subvert the Ezhava/Thiyya reservation in the Other Backward Class (OBC) and may prompt Muslims wanting a hike in the existing quota based on the representation against population criterion. The Syrian Church also opposes the objective, reflecting reservations within the Christian community.

Only a section of the Muslim community is demanding a caste census, with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) refraining from making an official demand. The IUML leadership strongly believes that such a clamour would consolidate the Hindu population along with the Christians against the party, as seen in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Except Muslims, communities across the spectrum are afraid that a caste census could expose their numerical strength, potentially altering political dynamics. The Muslim community stands out for its sustained growth, though its representation in government jobs remains low comparatively. The fear of exposure becomes a significant factor influencing the stance of various communities on the issue.

According to Census 2011 data, the population growth rate among Hindus and Christians was 2.23% and 1.38%, respectively; the Muslim population grew at 12.23% in the 2001-11 period. Unofficially, at present, the Muslim population is at around 27.5%, Ezhava/Thiyya at 23.5%, Christians at 17.5%, and Nairs at 13.5%.