After HC Order, Bihar Govt Orders Resumption Of Caste-Survey In All District

Caste-based survey to begin in Bihar once again after Patna High Court dismissed the petitions challenging Bihar Govt's Caste-based survey today.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

Source : PTI

After Patna High Court upheld the caste survey ordered by the state government, Bihar government on Tuesday issued orders and guidelines to all District Magistrates stating that the survey will begin once again, news agency ANI reported. 

Caste-based survey to begin in Bihar once again after Patna High Court dismissed the petitions challenging Bihar Govt's Caste-based survey today. State Government issues orders and guidelines to all DMs. pic.twitter.com/aMZK5vJtJ8

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023

Referring to the Patna High Court's judgement, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said on Tuesday that his government's aim is to bring society's backbenchers into the mainstream. "This is a historic decision. The High Court has put its stamp on the decision of the Mahagathbandhan Government. This is a welcome decision," Tejashwi Yadav was quoted by ANI in its report. 

"Our fight is to bring the backbenchers of society to the mainstream. When a caste-based survey happens, there will be clarity and the Government will form schemes on that basis and take the facilities to them. BJP wanted to stop the caste-based survey. I thank the CM and RJD chief Lalu Yadav to make this happen...," Bihar Deputy CM further stated. 

Earlier today, the Patna High Court dismissed petitions contesting the Bihar government's intention to undertake a caste-based census in the state. The Patna high court had previously directed that the survey be halted. As the Opposition challenged the government's decision, the caste-based census became a political flashpoint in Bihar.

Between January 7 and 21, Bihar conducted its first set of caste-based surveys. The second round began on April 15 and was scheduled to go through May 15.

The petitions before the Supreme Court were brought by a social organisation and several individuals after their plea for 'interim remedy' in the form of a stay on the survey was denied.

The Supreme Court also declined to intervene, referring them back to the lower court with the instruction that their petition be handled swiftly.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar had stated that the state is not conducting a caste census, but rather gathering information about people's economic condition and caste so that the government may take particular efforts to better serve them.