Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to make public the findings of a survey on castes in Bihar appears to be the second chapter in India’s tryst with Mandal politics implemented by PM VP Singh in 1990. In fact, the BJP who have been afraid to release the caste survey has received a jolt. In view of the forthcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, the survey will also have its reflection on the country’s political landscape in the current scenario. The fact that extreme backward classes dominate the OBC’s in Bihar which in turn form the dominant section of population raised troubling questions about the BJP’s aim of inclusive welfare. However, the caste survey can further fuel identity politics both within and outside the OBC section. Communities may vie for recognition and reservation benefits, potentially leading to conflicts. Striking a balance between affirmative action and social cohesion will be a challenge for policymakers. Importantly, the principal challenge for Nitish would be to convince the targeted electorate that Mandal 3.0 would not flatter to deceive.
