LIVE | Mandal vs Mandir 2.0: Bihar caste survey throws up interesting numbers

The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday (October 2) released findings of its much-awaited caste survey, which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population. The caste survey, discussed and debated for years at length, could mark the beginning of Mandal vs Mandir 2.0, with reservation politics taking communal politics head-on.

According to the data released in Patna by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state’s total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which, the Extremely Backward Classes (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the Other Backward Classes at 27.13 per cent.

More about caste census: Read from The Federal's archives

The survey also stated that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, were the largest in terms of population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total.

Religion-wise break-up

The Hindu population in the state is 81.99 per cent while the Muslim population is 17. 7 per cent, the survey revealed. Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a minuscule presence, together making up for less than 1 per cent of the total population.

Notably, the survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.

The last time a headcount of all castes was undertaken was way back in 1931. Those calling for a fresh caste survey insist that a new estimate was required mainly for the weaker sections of the society which, with improved life expectancy in the post-Independence era, must have seen a rise in their proportion of the population.