Dhanada K Mishra, Hong Kong, 8 May 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement supporting a nationwide caste census has stirred a significant debate across India. For a leader whose government has often been criticised for rolling back affirmative action measures, whether by diluting the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act or cutting scholarship, this sudden endorsement raises questions about the true intent behind the move. Is it a genuine step toward social justice or an electoral strategy? For Odisha, a state where Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes together make up around 40% of the population, according to the 2011 Census, this moment is both an opportunity and a challenge. The question is whether Odisha will let this initiative become another political slogan or use it as a chance to bring the realities of caste-based inequality into sharp focus with reliable data.
To begin with, it is useful to reflect on a compelling way of understanding the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), which former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg articulated beautifully. In a recent talk, he defined DEI by describing its exact opposites: the opposite of diversity is uniformity, the opposite of equity is inequity, and the opposite of inclusion is exclusion. He pointed out that those who oppose DEI policies are, in effect, advocating for values that society universally rejects. This framing helps clarify the stakes involved in any effort to address social disparities. It reminds us that fairness is not just a lofty ideal but a practical necessity to overcome systemic barriers. This perspective resonates deeply with the caste census debate in India, where uniformity and exclusion have long shaped social and economic realities.
What makes the census announcement particularly complex is the lack of clarity on crucial aspects such as the timeline, methodology, and the government’s commitment to transparency. This contrasts sharply with Bihar’s 2023 caste survey, which openly revealed that backwards classes constitute 63% of its population but hold only 12% of high-paying jobs – a stark illustration of persistent inequality. Odisha must insist on similar openness, especially because its tribal communities face challenges that conventional caste categories fail to capture. Groups like the Kondh, Santal, and Bonda are not just “Scheduled Tribes” on paper; they embody distinct cultures, languages, and histories, with specific land rights and economic vulnerabilities. A poorly designed census risks glossing over these nuances, reducing their struggles to mere statistics.
The state’s ground realities underscore the urgency of such detailed data. According to the 2021 NFHS-5 survey, while Odisha has made commendable strides in reducing poverty faster than the national average, its tribal population continues to suffer from malnutrition rates comparable to some of the poorest regions globally. In mineral-rich districts like Keonjhar, tribal communities form the majority but own only a tiny fraction of mining leases. This is no accident; it reflects structural inequalities that have been exacerbated by recent policy changes, such as amendments to the Forest Rights Act aimed at facilitating corporate land acquisitions. Given this context, it is difficult to trust that the central government’s caste census will be handled with the sensitivity and rigour required.
Looking beyond India, other countries offer instructive examples. South Africa’s post-apartheid Employment Equity Act, for instance, mandated corporate diversity audits that increased Black ownership in major firms from a mere 1% in 1994 to nearly 30% today. Malaysia’s Bumiputera policy, despite its imperfections, helped build a Malay middle class that contributed to national stability after racial unrest. Odisha itself has demonstrated the power of targeted inclusion through initiatives like Mission Shakti, where millions of women’s self-help groups collectively control significant capital. A caste census in Odisha should not be a mere headcount; it must be a catalyst for tailored policies such as reserving a majority of mining jobs for locals, expanding mother-tongue education to all 21 tribal languages, and ensuring real-time transparency in the utilization of SC/ST welfare funds, which currently suffer from bureaucratic delays.
History offers a cautionary tale. When the British colonial administration conducted India’s first caste census in 1881, it used the data to divide and rule, deepening social fissures. Today, Odisha stands at a crossroads. As the land that gave birth to fearless reformers like Birsa Munda and revolutionary poets like Gangadhar Meher, the state has a legacy of challenging injustice. The caste census is more than a bureaucratic exercise; it is perhaps the last, best chance to confront India’s entrenched social hierarchies with hard facts and demand meaningful change.
My own experience attending the inauguration of the Diversity Hub at Chung King Mansion in Hong Kong, led by the NGO Christian Action, brought these issues home in a deeply human way. The hub embodies the true spirit of DEI-diversity, equity, and inclusion-and offers a beacon of hope for immigrants and ethnically diverse communities navigating the long and often difficult immigration process. In a world too often overshadowed by uniformity, inequity, and exclusion, the hub radiates warmth, affection, and humanity. Witnessing the sense of community and support there made me wish that those who oppose DEI policies could see firsthand the transformative power of embracing difference and fairness. It is a beautiful concept that can and must reshape societies, including Odisha and India at large.
Author with family at the inauguration of the Diversity Hub at Chung King Mansion in Hong Kong.
The time to seize this moment is now. Odisha must ensure that the caste census is not just a political gambit but a genuine tool for justice, inclusion, and equity. Only then can we hope to dismantle the barriers of uniformity, inequity, and exclusion and build a society that truly reflects the diversity and dignity of all its people.
