Do you think caste-based census needs to be resumed? Or will it just lead to an increase in casteism and conflict?

The demand for restoration of caste-based census has got a boost with members of the Union Cabinet making a forceful pitch for the enumeration of OBCs (other backward classes) nationally. Among those arguing strongly for the return of caste census are OBC faces such as law minister M Veerappa Moily, minister for overseas affairs Vayalar Ravi, telecom minister Andimuthu Raja and fertiliser minister MK Alagiri.

The development came after a strong demand in Parliament for revival of caste census. The BJP and the left parties joined OBC leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad, and Sharad Yadav in demanding that caste be brought back as a census criterion.

The last census to enumerate caste was in 1931, when the British were ruling India and Lord Irwin was the viceroy. There was no census in 1941, thanks to the Second World War. After independence, India's founding fathers decided to do away with caste as a census criterion because of their desire to build a casteless society.

Now politicians, particularly from the OBCs, are demanding resumption of caste enumeration in the census. In fact, they want it done in the exercise that is already under way. They say the reality of caste in India cannot be wished away and enumerating caste would help in implementation of many policies based on caste, such as reservation in education and employment.

But those opposed to such a census say the dream of a casteless social order should not be given up and efforts should be made to weaken the caste structure based on oppression of those at the bottom of the hierarchy.

Do you think it is time to revive caste-based census? Or will it merely worsen the divide in society?