The Hindu : National : Census sans caste data useless: PMK

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 01, 2007
ePaper

National

National

Census sans caste data useless: PMK

Legal Correspondent

Comprehensive data needed for social justice policies, says party in OBC quota case

Non-collection of caste particulars over 60 years has not brought about casteless society
Quota law “an unprecedented leap taking higher education forward”

New Delhi: The Pattali Makkal Katchi on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to direct the Union of India to collect comprehensive caste/community data in the 2011 decennial census for implementing social justice policies.

Appearing for the PMK as an intervener, in support of the Centre in the OBC quota case, senior counsel Ravivarma Kumar said there was no justification for refusing to take caste details in the decennial census operations all these years. “A massive exercise is rendered useless for the all important work of implementing social justice policies.”

Mr. Ravivarma told a Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan that there was a vigorous campaign against collection of caste particulars in the census. “The principal ground for opposing this exercise is that it will increase casteism in society. This is a baseless apprehension. Eschewing collection of caste particulars over the last 60 years has not brought about any transformation of society into a casteless society, much less has society become more cosmopolitan that it was 60 yeas ago.”

Counsel refuted the contentions of some petitioners that the identification of backward classes was based on the 1931 census. “In each State, the identification of backward classes has been done on the basis of criteria evolved by the State Commissions on social, educational and economic parameters.”

The 93rd Constitution Amendment and the 27 per cent OBC quota law are “an unprecedented leap taking higher education in the country forward, without depriving the forward castes of a single seat. The advanced castes, with a population of less than 20 per cent, will still be able to corner up to 50 per cent seats in the name of merit disproportionate to their known proportion of the population.”

Mr. Ravivarma said: “The measure not only opens opportunities to the backward classes for the first time and provides access to the institutions of higher learning, but also enables the most disadvantaged sections, particularly from rural India, to shed their backwardness and become partners with the upper castes in taking the nation forward.”

“Exclude creamy layer”

Senior counsel P.P. Rao, appearing for one of the petitioners who are opposing the Amendment and the quota law, in his reply to the arguments of the Centre and others, said, “The Constitution does not contemplate citizens remaining backward for ever.” The special provisions could not operate after the backward classes advanced to the general level of others who were not backward. He reiterated that the creamy layer among the backward classes should be excluded from the quota.

“Perpetuating caste”

Mr. Rao said, “Identification of socially and educationally backward classes through caste tends to perpetuate the caste system and prevents promotion of fraternity among the citizens assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.” Arguments will conclude on Thursday.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section