Equality among unequal’s
Social Backwardness and Economic Backwardness are the forefronts of design of various welfare schemes. The entire reservation policy affecting crores of people is based on the single metric of social backwardness and economic backwardness. The former is more important, and the social backwardness was propagated by the Varna System, which fragmented the Hindu society into four varnas, Brahmanas, Kshtraiyas,Vaishyas and Shudras. There was also the fifth category called AVARNA, who were untouchables and were outside the varna system.
In the modern-day context, the Shudras became the Other Backward Classes(OBC) and the Untouchables became the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.
Constitution provides for various safeguards for these communities through various policies, especially reserving a certain number of posts in jobs and higher education. The determination of reservation policy under the Constitution of India is determined by three factors, Social Backwardness, Educational Backwardness and the newly introduced Economic Backwardness.
Numerous Apex Court decisions point to the fact that social backwardness is the key criteria in determination of reservation policy.
Off late, even among the OBC’s(Other Backward Classes ) there is a thinking that there should be category called “Extremely Backward Castes” which would help the more social disadvantaged group among the OBC’s to get the maximum benefit of reservation. Now the key question is
Can we have a criterion to show that a given caste is extremely socially backward with in the identified socially backward classes?
Whether Scheduled Castes is a Homogeneous Group? Whether it is possible to identify extremely backward Scheduled Castes using evidence from History? Whether any attempt to do so will be unconstitutional and ultra vires the provisions provided in the constitution?”
Scheduled Castes are nothing but a collection of castes. Numerous castes have found their place in this list after detailed caste census undertaken by the Britishes for decades. Originally, they were called the depressed classes and they were recognized in the caste census as early as 1871. The conditions of depressed classes has been highlighted in all census undertaken by the British India till 1941, where a separate chapter on caste census giving details of various castes were provided.
It was in 1931, in Appendix 1, that the British India introduced a separate list of castes called Exterior castes based on the castes who were subjugated to untouchability practices by so called Forward castes. These Exterior Castes form the basis of the Scheduled Castes(SC/ST) who were enumerated, and it is these reasons why constitution provides a safeguard that this list cannot be added, deleted or modified without the express approval of the Parliament.
However in Andra pradesh, there was an attempt to demarcate the reservation for SC’s into two categories of Most Backward SC and Less Backward SC, which was struck down by Supreme Court in E V Chinniah case as unconstitutional. The matter of sub categorization within SC/ST has been referred to a 7 judge bench in Supreme Court and is pending for final hearing.
Unlike, SC/ST Sub categorization, the courts have dealt with the reasonableness of various sub categorization of OBC’s in many judgements and there is a consensus emerging on subcategorization of OBC’s.
Incidentally, National Commission for Backward Classes has also released a scheme of categorization of OBC’s which will be discussed in the coming para.
The arguments in the supreme court have taken a new dimensions. Some of the key questions coming up for hearing before the Apex Court in various cases are as follows:
What is Backwardness?
Can we have an index of Backwardness based on Poverty ( Economic Criteria) or Backwardness should be the relative Social Backwardness or Educational Backwardness with respect to the forward castes?
Can a group of castes be segregated based on various criteria(amalgamation of social, educational, economic criteria) and proportionate reservation determined?
What is efficiency? To what extent can the state extend reservation so that the administrative efficiency is not hampered?
These are overly complex questions!!! However I will try to build a model for Social Backwardness which is the key parameter in this entire debate of SC/ST/OBC reservation.
How were Scheduled Castes Formed?
Over a period of 100 years many detailed census involving detailed study of Hinduism, varna system, physical features of all castes, the hardships each caste were put into because of untouchability were carried out by the British Governments.
Over these years, many models were proposed and fine-tuned them to make the first list of exterior castes in 1931. However, prior to this also, the list of various castes who are outcastes were discussed in detailed in census report, right from 1871 onwards. But from the point of administrative implementation, 1931 was the first census which discussed targeted policy the listed exterior castes.
As mentioned in various reports, the reservation policy for SC/ST is not an anti-poverty scheme but it's an attempt to bring a large segment of Hindu Population who were subjugated to untouchability practices like pollution, food, and water exclusion, non-access to public amenities, schools, temples etc.
The various census reports clearly show a systematic approach of the British Government to place various castes among the varna system. However, they noticed that it is almost impossible to place the numerous castes into various sub sections of the Hindu society and allowed the provincial governments to device their own innovative methods to conduct a caste census, so that the disadvantaged sections of the Hindu society can be recognized.
Let us know take the 1871–72 caste census.
1871–72 Caste Census
Memorandum on the Census of British India of 1871–72
More details of these are available in the Individual Provinces. I will discuss one such report which gives details about Madras Provinces
piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/ideologie/data/CensusIndia/CensusIndia1871/CensusIndia1871Madras.pdf
Please see Chapter XI on Caste, which gives the complete details of the caste issue in Madras Presidency. A perusal of the report clearly shows that many castes were subjugated to the malaise of Untouchability and a separate description of a caste called Pariah is also mentioned. Detailed District wise Statistics of various castes are also provided below.
On similar lines, for every region, there are detailed reports that shows that there was a recognition of outcaste/exterior caste called “Scheduled Castes” as early as 1871–72 and consistently these castes have been included one after the other.
Also, those castes which were not twiceborn (Brahmanas /Kshatriyas /Chetties) were Shudras. Some of them were placed above each other. For example, you can easily see from the above table, that Vellalar's were placed above Idaiars.
Pariahs who were the outcastes were placed at the end.
In Madras Presidency the caste precedency order is Brahamans, Kshtriayas, Chetties, Vellalar, Idaiars, Kammalan, Kanakkan, Kalkalars, Vannian, Kusavan, Satani, Sembedavan, Shanan, Umbattan, Vannan, Others (ST), Pariahs (SC).
From the above we can clearly conclude that Paraiahs are the most socially backward and this also serve as a comparison scale for any two communities on the social backwardness index. For example, Vellalars are releatively forward castes compared to Vannian or Kusavan.
1891 Census
Census of India, 1891 : General report
From page 182, there is a detailed description of the issue of castes. In this the British started placing various caste as per occupations and they found some patterns emerging from it. We are not discussing much about this report since the next census report 1901 considers many of these findings and gives a detailed spilt of various castes in India.
1901 Census
The 1901 census is a water shed census which is the first major attempt by the British Government to classify the Indian castes to various sections, especially based on the concept of untouchability.
British Government noticed that Untouchability and the concept of pollution was deep ingrained in the Hindu society and the basis for this was neither vegetarianism nor the occupation they did.
Incidentally, the classification they did clearly shows that Indian caste system was much more complex than what ordinary Indians perceived.
It is in 1901 census, the British Government collected the physical measurements of Indians, which enabled them to divide India into seven major races. The map below shows the distribution of these races.
It is this classification that was used for the 1901 census and a detailed castes within this region were identified and grouped according to the social hierarchy.
The Picture below shows the several types of races within India as per Risley.
The detailed census report of 1901 along with the tables can be found below
Let us take the first type…
Turko Iranian Type ( Orange Color )
In the map this race was in Baluchistan or the present-day Pakistan. They formed by a fusion of Turks and Persian elements in which the former predominates.
Stature above mean; complexion fair; eyes mostly dark, but occasionally grey; hair on face plentiful; head broad; nose moderately narrow prominent and very long.
The extracts of the social groups forming Turko Iranian Tract is given below. This was the present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan which is not included in India. However, a glimpse would make it clear that majority of them were Musalmans in this region.
This group is not important since they don't form part of India now.
Indo Aryan Type ( Pink Color )
The next type is the Indo Aryan Type occupying the Punjab, Rajputana and Kashmir and having's its characteristic members the Rajputs, Khatris and Jats.
They are considered to resembling the Aryan Colonists of India.
The stature is mostly tall; complexion fair ; eyes dark ; hair on face plentiful ; head long ; nose narrow and prominent, but not specially long.
The Social Statistic for this region is given below.
It is here we see the first classification of Hindu’s into upper and lowest castes. Even Muslims are also classified into upper and lower castes in the 1901 census.
It is here we get some evidence of social backward castes, where for the first-time classification is done based on social practices like untouchability, beef eating and many other factors.
Clearly the entire castes were spilt into various classes. On top of the social hierarchy was the Brahmanas, who formed 12% of the total Hindus. The next class was Kshtraiyas who formed 19% of the total Hindus. Now TRADING Classes formed just 4% of the populaition. The rest of the population were Shudras and Untouchables. Even among the Shudras, it can be noticed that from 24% of the shudras, higher castes still could take food and water. They were forward shudras and were not subjugated to the ills of pollution and untouchability like others. Now there were other Shudras who were backward from whom the Brahmanas would not take food or water. So, it is evident that among the Shudras, a large section of society was socially forward who were never subjugated to any social exclusion like others.
Apart from this, there was a detailed list of castes for each region. The details for Ajmer-Merwar region can be found below.
GIPE-017249.pdf ( For detailed report download here ).
The extracts of the key tables from the report is enclosed below.
The above sample enumeration of castes in Ajmer-Merwar region shows detailed anthropological and sociological studies undertaken to determine the status of each caste in Hindu caste system. After seeing this nobody can say that any group of castes is homogeneous. Since in every castes, there are again subdivision with various gradation.
Some important observations are as below
[1] Clearly the Group I/II in the above table belong to Brahmans. There is a gradation within Brahmans also that there are few in Group II who claim themselves as Brahmans but considered to be not the original Brahmans
[2] Next is the Kshatriya in Group III and Group IV. Then at Group V, there are the Vaishyas. Till Group V, they are all considered to be Twice Born who are Upper Castes and not considered as Shudras.
[3] At Group VII, there is a classification among Shudras called Clean Shudras, from whom Brahmanas will have food and water without question. Now in Group VIII, the Shudras are below the clean shudras, since some of the twice born refuse to take food and water.
Similarly, gradation is also found in Group IX. However, Group X are Unclean Shudras, from whom the Brahmanas will never take, food and water.
However these Unclean Shudras are not untouchables and there is no stigma of Untouchability associated with these castes.
So, these observations clearly show that among the Shudras, there were forward castes (like upper castes), Socially backward classes (from whom some twice born took food and water) and Extremely Socially Backward Classes (from whom Brahmanas refused to take food and water)
[4] Shudras were not untouchables. The untouchables were below the Shudras. Group XI and Group XII are these Untouchables. Notice that there is gradation even among the untouchables who are called Exterior castes or Scheduled castes.
The untouchables who don't eat Beef are higher in Social Status than untouchables who eat Beef. So, these clearly shows that even among SC/ST there was social gradation.
To state that SC/ST is a homogenous group is far from reality especially when you see the social gradation among the SC/ST.
Similarly for Punjab region we have the report as below
https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/18838/GIPE-017278.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y
The total aggregation of various castes in these regions is listed above. Based on the above discussion, the entire Hindu Population can be spilt on social status in the society.
Social Backwardness is the fundamental basis of providing reservations in the Constitution. This is the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
So based on the above model, we can see the following social gradation in Hindu Societies -
[1] Castes which are twice borns. They are usually the Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaishyas coming with in the upper castes. (A- Upper Castes )
[2] Castes that are not twice borns(Shudras), but still considered forward because there is no practice of untouchability towards there community. They are Socially Forward Shudras.( B- Socially Forward Shudras/Backward Classes)
[3] Castes that belong to Shudras, but the existence of Untouchability is limited — However since limited subjugation to untouchability practices are noticed, these castes can be classified as Socially Backward Classes ( C- Socially Backward Classes )
[4] Castes that belong to Shudras, but still the practice of Pollution/Untouchability Prevalent — Hence they can be termed as Extremely Socially Backward Classes within the backward classes ( D— Extremely Socially Backward Classes)
[5] Castes Outside the Hindu Fold that were called exterior castes, where extreme untouchability was practiced. — This forms the bulk of the SC/ST population in the country (E— Exterior Castes)
So now the 1901 census gives a direct mapping of castes in various classes to the above five categories (a) Upper Castes who are the twice born (b) Socially forward Shudras — Who are the same footing as Twice borns ( c ) Socially Backward Shudras — Who are subjugated to limited exclusion by Brahmanas (d) Extremely Backward Shudras- Who are subjugated to more exclusion including pollution and untouchability practice (e) Exterior castes— Who are outside Varna system and are completely impure and extreme untouchability practiced against these castes.
So, it is clear from the above analysis, in this region, there was a domination of upper castes ( Brahmans, Khatri, Rajput, Agarwal, Khandelwal, Maheswari and others) with 35% of the total population.
You can also see that there were almost 24% of the total Shudra Population on whom there was no practice of untouchability noticed and they were usually considered to be socially forward ( Ahir, Gujar, Jat, Mali, Sonar, Thukkar, Others )
Then there was 11% of the Hindu Population, which had some form of untouchability practices inflicted on them. These are Socially Backward Shudras ( Arora, Darzi, Ghirath, Kanet, Kumbhar, Nai, Raika )
Next around 11% of the Hindu Population were stigmatized with extreme untouchability earlier on. They are Extremely backward Shudras ( Bairgai, Chimba, Daghi and Koli, Dhakar, Dhobi, Dumna, Kamboh, Khati, Labuna, Lodha. Lohar and Turkan. Mahtam, Mina, Rawat, Saini. Teli,Others )
The last is the Exterior castes which formed around 18% of the total population who were the untouchables ( Bhil, Chamar, Chuhra, Dhana, Khatik, Pasi, Rogar, Others )
Even among Muslamans these Higher and Lower castes are noticed and the same divisions are represented below
Around 37% of the Muslims belong to Socially Backward class ( Ajiaf — Awan, Baloch, Gujar, Jat, Khokar, Meo, Rajput, Others ). While 39% of them where Extremely Backward Muslims ( Darzi, Jolaha, Kasai, Kumbhar, Lohar, Nai and Hajjam, Turkhan, Teli, Dhobi, Dom, Mirsi, Mochi, Arain, Bharsi, Chimba, Chuhra, Fakir, Jhinwar, Kamboh, Kashmiri, Khoja, Machhi, Mallah, Mewati ).
This clearly shows that there were extremely backward classes especially Arjals among Muslims who were Degraded classes, most of them who were converts. This group requires special protection as OBC’s
Dravidian Type ( Blue Color )
The next major type is the Dravidian type extending from Ceylon to the valley of the Ganges and pervading the whole of Madras, Hyderabad, the Central Provinces, most of Central India, and Chota Nagpur.
Probably, the original type of population of India, now modified to a varying extent by the admixture of Aryan, Scythian and Mongoloid elements.
In typical specimens, the stature is short or below mean; the complexion very dark, approaching black ; hair plentiful with occasional tendency to curl; eyes dark ; head long ; nose very broad.
Let us first take the data from Madras Presidency and do a detailed analysis based on this.
The Gradation given in Madras Presidency is given below
In this it is noticeably clear that there was around 6% of the population who were twice borns. However, 31% of the Hindus were Good Sudras who were like the forward castes.
Now in Class V, we see a small amount of untouchability towards these communities. This is around 16% of the population. However extreme untouchability was also practiced against Shudras in Class VI( 11%) and Class VII( 6%) of the Hindu Population.
Class VIII, IX, X are exterior castes who form 27% of the total Hindu Population. They are the Scheduled castes.
Surprisingly, we see Lingayat's being placed at Class XI who just form 3% of the total population in Madras Presidency.
So, we have the following, Twice Born castes( I, II, III) are around 5.7% of the total Hindu Population. The Sat Sudra or Good Shudras form almost 31% of the population. Next is those Sudras where Brahmins are employed as purohit but whose touch pollutes to a slight extent. Next is the pollution is high and hence they are considered lower. So Sl No VI and VII, untouchability exists, but they there are still considered to be Sudras.
Now let us take the list of Good Shudras
This data clearly shows many castes in the region like Vellala, Balija, Kapu, Kamma, Nayar, Vokkaliga where forward castes, where there was no untouchability practiced.
However, in many cases it was noticed that these castes practiced untouchability against other castes including the current day OBC’s and SC/ST.
Some prominent castes on whom some amount of untouchability/Pollution was inflicted in Madras Presidency are Agamudian, Kankolan, Maravan, Nattaman, Palli, Vaniyan. These castes are lower in status than Vellalars in Madras Presidency.
Palli is numerically higher than even Vellalar's in Madras Presidency.
But the question to be asked now is who deserve a better reservation, whether it is the Palli or Vellalars. If you see the social backwardness, surely Palli caste should get more share of OBC reservation since they have suffered some amount of untouchability for one thousand years.
Here you can see Ganiga, Kuruba, Samantiya in Karnataka. But there is some factual evidence to state that untouchability practices were done against these castes like Kuruba, Ganiga and Samantiya by upper castes and forward caste Shudras. The same pattern is going to be there in other parts of Madras Presidency.
So clearly, we can see many socially backward classes who were subjected to untouchability practices like SC/ST. However, the severity may vary. Some of them would have been included in SC/ST but many continue in OBC’s.
So, it clearly shows that OBCs are not a homogeneous group and there is a huge variation in social backwardness among themselves.
So, it is especially important to split them into three category (a) Socially Forward Shudras (b) Socially Backward Shudras and ( c ) Extremely Socially Backward Shudras.
OBC has a group is not homogeneous. There are various classes of High and Low Social Gradation.
Extremely Socially Backward Classes require adequate protection.
This analysis clearly shows the existence of socially backward classes who require adequate protection within the exceptionally large Shudra Group in southern states.
Now let us take the last set of groups who are untouchables. If we can see there is also a clear-cut gradation. However, the only gradation here is untouchable castes who eat beef and untouchable castes who don't eat beef. Now for argument's sake, if we take two castes who eat beef, then this classification does not indicate anything about their social backwardness. It is this crucial fact which may be necessary in analyzing whether the Exterior castes are homogeneous groups are not.
The exterior castes as per this census is divided as
(a) Exterior Castes — Untouchable castes who don't eat beef
(b) Lowest Exterior Castes — Untouchable castes who eat beef
(c ) Other Exterior Castes — There are few touchable castes who were included in Exterior Castes. However their social status is above the Untouchable castes. The reason of their inclusion is similar social conditions that these castes where living where British India considered them equivalent to an exterior castes.
Off late there is a demand of reservation within reservation based on social backwardness within the SC/ST community. But sometimes when I see, the division asked for was within two castes who are untouchable and who eat beef. Is this bifurcation possible?
This is an enigma to me, since British compared all castes in comparison with forward castes like Brahmanas and placed in the same group. They did not compare two castes within the same category.
These are the first group of exterior castes who are considered to cause pollution, but dont eat beef. They are higher than those who eat beef
So clearly the lowest of the exterior castes is the Castes which eat beef and pollute even without touching. These castes are the most disadvantaged ones. Numerically also they are the highest and because of neo Brahminism now, many have left eating beef, but the fact remains that eating beef some time long back put them at the last leg of the social order.
Pariayan, Chakkiliyan, Madiga, Mala, Holeya all are the lowest rungs and require protection within this exterior group.
Now whether this group can be further divided again in absence of any other fresh caste census is a larger question that needs to be addressed.
There is a bitter rivalry between Left and Right castes where traditionally left castes have been put at the lowest rungs of the caste ladder. Now various British records clearly indicate Left castes are lower in status then Right castes. A chapter on Madiga community in earlier British records will clarify that they were the lowest in the hierarchy.
The Hyderabad Report is enclosed below,
Report, Part I, Vol-XXII (lsi.gov.in)
In Hyderabad, the Social Precedence order is given below
Brahman, Kshatria, Vysya, Velama, Golla, Kapu, Sathani, Ausala, Gandla, Kummara, Sala, Uppara, Chakala, Mangala, Besta, Gowndla, Inferior Religious Mendicants, Katika, Korva, Yerkala, Mala and others.
The Mysore census is also enclosed below
Tables, Part A, XI-A to XV-A, Part III, Mysore (lsi.gov.in)
The Kerala census for 1901 is also enclosed below
Travancore, Part I, Vol-XXVI (lsi.gov.in)
So, on a similar line, we have reports for every region, which shows substantial stratification in OBC’s and SC’s.
I will not discuss this in detail here. However, I will provide the aggregate of all castes here
The above is a comprehensive report for all states in Dravida land.
Firstly, let us take the Madras, Mysore, Hyderabad, Travancore, and Cochin where the practice of untouchability was the maximum in India.
Based on the social categorization discussed above the distribution is as below
In Madras, Mysore, Travancore more than 54%( C+D+E) of the population were subjected to some form of untouchability. This is the place of highest untouchability practices reported anywhere in India.
If we even further go down, Travancore is one state which had the worst forms of untouchability. British Collectors have described the inhuman conditions to which these people were subjugated including the Breast Tax which was imposed on the Low Caste Womens.
The Upper Castes were just 7% of the population. They were Brahmins, Kshatriya, Patnul Karan, Rajput, Raju, Komati, Vani and Others.
Incidentally, it was the Socially Forward Shudras who formed more than 39% of this region. The Social distribution of these castes are given below
Ambalvasi, Balija, Bunt, Chetti, Gaudo, Golla, Idaiyan, Kalingi, Kamma, Kapu, Kummara, Kusadan, Nayar, Satani, Vakkaliga, Valama, Vellala, Others formed the bulk of this groups.
One peculiar inclusion here is the Lingayats who were kept outside the Varna System in Class XI. They are also included as Socially Forward Shudras here. However, there is a debate that they are outside the Hindu Varna System and hence cannot be Shudras. However, it is still a mystery why the then government placed them below the Exterior castes.
It is these castes which form the Political Powerhouse of various States.
Lingayats ( 2328514) and Vokkaliga ( 1376592 ) form the major castes who have maximum number of chief ministers in the state of Karnataka. Similarly the Kapu and Kamma have a dominance in Andra Politics. Vellalas have a say in Tamilnadu Politics.
Now let us go to the next group of castes where some untouchability was inflicted by forward castes. Around 14% of them are Socially Backward Shudras on whom some form of untouchability was inflicted by the forward castes.
They are Agamudiyan, Ambala Karan, Kaikolan, Maravan, Nattaman, Palli, Sale, Telega, Tottiyin, Vaniyan and Others.
Unlike North India, in South India, many Sudras, which is the present day OBC’s were also subjugated to untouchability.
Then again there were substantially substantial number of Extremely Backward Classes, almost 14%, who were subjugated to harsh untouchability practices. These communities were Ambattan, Bestha, Devanga, Gamella, Gowndals, Gudala, Idiga, Kallan, Kuruba, Mangala, Mutracha, Tukala, Uppara, Valaiyan, Vannan, Agasa, Kuruvan, Kurumban, Odde, Yanode, Others. These castes with in the OBC or SC/ST, where extremely backward and needs more protection from the state.
Around 26% of the Hindu Population were exterior castes. Out of these some castes although were not beef eaters, where considered to cause pollution even without touching. They are Billava, Cheruman, Illuvan, Kammalan, Pallan, Shonan, Tiyan.
Then there were Castes who were eating beef, but they were not considered to cause any pollution. They were Boya, Khond, Savara. Similarly, there were castes who ate beef, and they were supposed to cause polluting without touching. They were chakkiliyan, Holeya, Madiga, Mala, Paraiyan and Others.
Here you can see Mala, Holeya and Madiga play an especially important political role in Karnataka and Andra.
Pariyans play an important role in Tamilnadu.
We can easily conclude that Hindu castes are highly stratified.
In Shudras, there is a clear cut bifurcation between good shudras, shudras with limited pollution practices and shudras with extreme pollution practices. This indicates that these groups should be classified into socially forward shudras, socially backward shudras and extremely backward shudras.
Many state that the bifurcation between the various castes among Scheduled castes is not possible since they are a homogeneous group, and they are actually worse than the extremely backward shudras and there is no scale to compare these castes.
But this aspect is disproved by the above evidence clearly showing that it was not one class within the exterior castes, but a set of many castes which formed the exterior castes. Majority of them were untouchables. However, those caste which eat Beef were lower in status compared to others. Also, over a period, many touchable were also included in this who were originally higher in social status compared to untouchables. Some observations about the above analysis are as follows,
Within Exterior castes(SC), Castes which pollute even without touching but do not eat beef like Illuvan, Pallan, Shanan are higher in status than Castes eating beef, and polluting without touching like Chakkliyan, Holeya, Madiga, Mala, Pariayan.
Now again there is enough literature, which left castes are much lower in status compared to right castes. For Britishes, they looked inferior with respect to Brahamans. But for the right castes, Left castes are inferior.
Castes who don't eat beef consider Castes who eat beef inferior.
So, the argument that SC as a group is homogenous is not correct and there are enough differences not just in economic status, but also in social status.
It is this social status difference which has led to few forward SCs to garner bulk of the reservation benefits.
So, sub classification into Scheduled castes, Lowest Scheduled Castes and Touchable Scheduled castes is the need of the hour.
Dravidian Tract — Chotanagpur, States of Chotanagpur, Orissa, Angul and Khandmahals
Here I will not go into further details since it is a very comprehensive exercise. We will just provide the aggregate.
In this region the upper castes are very minimal. They are just 6% of the Hindu Population ( Brahman, Babhan, Kayasth, Rajput and Others)
Then there are socially forward shudras who account for 27% of the total Hindu Population. They are Ahir, Chero, Kahar, Kharwar, Bhogta, Koiri, Kurmi and Others. Kurmi are the most dominant among these
Next is the Socially Backward Shudras who form 6% of the Hindu Population who are Kalwar, Kewat, Jhora, Mallah, Nunia, Ranuniar, Sunri, Teli and Others
This is one region where there is a very high percentage of Extremely Backward Shudras who account for almost 36% of the total Hindu Population. They are Bathudi, Bedeo, Bhuiya, Bhumij, Chamar, Chik, Dhobi, Dosadh, Ghasi, Gond, Kandh, Kharia, Kora, Mahli, Mal, Munda, Rajwar, Savar, Tatwa, Turi and others
The next is the Exterior castes who form 26% of the population. They are Dom, Hari, Ho, Kaur, Nagesia, Oraon, Santal and Others.
Apart from there was a very large population of Animists and unclassified castes also found which are mostly tribal in nature.
Dravidian Tract — Central Provinces and Berar
Clearly this region is dominated by Socially Forward Shudras and Exterior castes. The upper castes are Brahman, Prabhu, Kayasth, Rajput, Bairagi, Bhat and others who form 9% of Hindu Population.
There are socially forward shudras who form around 32% of the population. They are Agharia, Ahir, Gola, Chasa, Dangi, Dumal, Gondhalis, Gujar, Kachhi, Kalal, Kirar, Kolta, Kunbi, Kurmi, Lodhi, Mali, Maratha, Barai, Barhai, Sonar, Satar, Wani, Dhimar, Kewat, Nei and Others.
Then there are the Socially Backward Shudras who form 13% of the Hindu Population. They are Bhoyar, Chadar, Maniar, Bahna, Banjara, Darzi, Shimpi, Dhangar, Gadaria, Kalar, Koshti, Lohar, Teli and Others
This region is dominated by exterior castes (SC/STs) with a proportion of almost 34% of the total Hindu Population. The most important one among them are Baiga, Bharia, Bhumia, Bhil, Binjhwar, Gond, Halba, Kandh, Kawar, Kisan, Sawara, Andh, Balahi, Basor, Beldar, Bhoi, Chamar, Dhobi, Ganda, Ghusia, Kolu, Katia, Kori, Kumbar, Mahar, Mang, Mehtar, Pankha and others.
Muslims in the Dravidian Tract
Clearly around 38% of them belong to the Lower class. They are Dudekula, Jolaha, Jonakkan, Labbai, Mappilla, Meltan, Tulukan. The Mappilla is a dominant Muslim Community which is backward and needs protection
Arya Dravidian Tract — Bihar and The United Provinces
The Next is Arya Dravidian Tract which is mostly in Bihar and UP or the United Provinces.
The Head form is long with a tendency to medium ; the complexion varies from lightish brown to black ; the nose ranges from medium to broad, being always broader than among the Indo-Aryans; the stature is lower than in the latter group, usually below the average by the scale given below.
The Social Statistics of this group is given below
First let us take the United Provinces Classification
So this is one region which has the highest % of forward castes. Firstly around 26% of them are upper castes who are twice born.
Around 36% of the population are also Socially forward Shudras. They are Jays, Halwai, Ahar, Ahir, Barai, Barhai, Gujar, Kachhi, Kahar, Kisan, Koeri, Kurmi, Lodha, Lohar, Mali, Murao, Nai, Sorar and Others.
Around 7% of them are Socially Backward Shudras on whom some untouchability practices are noticed. They are Bharbhunja, Darzi, Gadariya, Kewat, Kumhar, Mallah.
On a similar ground we have around 6% of them who are extremely backward from whom water cannot be taken. They are Banjara, Bhar, Kalwar, Teli, Arak, Kol, Luniya, Kanjar, Meo and Others
Lastly this region has 26% of the population has Exterior classes who are the SC/ST. This includes castes that are untouchable, but do not eat beef like Dhanuk, Dhobi, Dusadh, Khatik, Kori, Pasi and Others. It also includes lowest castes eating beef and vermin like Bhangi, Chamar, Dom and Others
Now let us take the Bihar Tract
Again here around 18% of them are upper castes. They are Brahman, Babban, Kayasth, Rajput and Others.
Next is the Socially Forward Shudras who form 34% of the Hindu Population. They are Ahir, Atith, Jogi, Barui, Dhanuk, Gangauta, Gareri, Gour, Halwai, Kahar, Kandu, Koiri, Kurmi, Rajhwar.
Socially Backward Shudras form 7% of the population. They are Amat, Barhi, Hajjam, Kumhar, Lohar, Mali, Sonar and Others. I have placed them lower since there is a subclassification with in this group.
However there is a large segment of Extremely Backward Shudras who form 12% of the population. They are Beldar, Bind, Chain, Gourhi, Kalwar, Kewat, Mallah, Nunia, Ruiar, Sunri, Teli, Tiyar, Turaha and Others.
Around 28% of them are exterior castes. They are Bhuiya, Chamar, Dhoba, Dosadh, Gangai, Khatwe, Mushar, Pasi, Rajwar, Tatwa or Tanti and Others.
Bihar and UP- Musalman Population
Here there is a large population of Muslims. As compared to 20,656,030 Hindus, there were 10,294,446 Muslims. That is 50% Muslims. However, these figures are all pre partition.
However, we can notice that there were Socially Backward Muslims who formed 13% of the Muslims Population. They are Bhangi, Darzi, Dhobi, Lohar, Nai, Teli who are called Ajiaf.
Next is the Extremely Backward Muslims who form almost 27% of the total Muslims. They are Bhisti, Dhunia, Fakir, Jolaha, Kunjra, Quasab, Garo, Mewati. These group require special protection.
Scytho Dravidian Type — Bombay, Baroda and Coorg(Peach Color in the Indian Map )
The Scytho Dravidian type of Western India comprising the Maratha Brahmans, the Kunbis and the coorgs. Probably formed by a mixture of Scythian and Dravidian elements, the former predominating in the higher groups, the latter in the lower.
The head is broad ; complexion fair ; hair on face rather scanty ; stature medium ; nose moderately fine and conspicuously long
The Social Statistics of this group is enclosed below
So it is clear that 40% of the population is upper castes. The list includes Brahman, Prabhu, Grosia, Katbi, Khatria, Maratha, Rajput, Thakore, Disval, Gujjar, Kapola, Khadayata, L&d, Meshri, Modh, Nagar, Pancham, Porwad, Shirmali, Sorthia, Kunbis, Ahir, Bharwad and Dhangar, Charans, Rabari, Bhaver, Kanara, Lohar, Panchkalsi, Salvi and Koshti, Sonar and Soni, Sutar, Teli and Others
There are around 5% of the Sudras who are clean. They are Bhoi, Darzi, Dhobi, Gurava, Hajjam, Machhi and Others
Around 4% are socially backward shudras. This is a assumption. They are Bhandari, Halipaik, Kumbhar, Ravalia, Vaghri and others
Around 26% of them are extremely backward shudras. They include Chodra, avandi, Gavli, Kharva, Koli, Konkani, Mali, Vanjari, Laman, Dadhi, Baria, Gosi, Joshi, Dubla or Talavia and others.
Around 25% of the Hindu Population was Depressed classes. They include Berad, Bhangi, Bhil, Chambhar, Dhed or Mahar, Kabaligar, Kathkari, Mang, Meghwal, Naikda and Panchal.
Lingayat Enumeration in Bombay Census — A curious case
We notice an incredibly unique enumeration of Lingayat's in the Bombay census which clearly shows that Lingayat's was separate sect/religion with multiple divisions within it.
Lingayats had all the categories of people from high social status and low social status. A contention that all Lingayats are forward castes may not be correct based on the above grouping. The same grouping would be there even in the Mysore, which can be understood only if a comprehensive Caste Census is undertaken.
The above analysis clearly shows that there were almost 49% of the Lingayat Population did not belong to Forward communities. These communities need to be identified in specific and specific protection should be given by the state.
Muslims in Bombay Baroda Coorg Region
The above clearly shows that there were substantial number of Muslims who were backwards. However, the classification does not give any hint on who are forward and who are backward, so it is difficult to differentiate the groups among the forward and backward classes.
Mongol Dravidian Type — Green Color in the Map
The Mongolo Dravidian type of Lower Bengal and Orissa, comprising the Bengal Brahmans and Kayastha, the Muhammadans of Eastern Bengal and other groups peculiar to this part of India.
The head is broad; complexion dark with a yellowish tinge ; hair on face plentiful ; stature medium ; nose medium with a tendency to broad.
The Social Statistics associated with this group is given below
Let us first take Bengal Region
The Upper castes constituted around 13% of the total Hindu Population. They were Brahman, Baidya, Kayastha, Khatri, Rajput and Ugra Khatriya, Aguri
There is a list of socially forward castes who constitute more than 16% of the Hindu Population. They are Barui, Gandha-Banik, Kamar, Kumhar, Malakar, Madak, Napit, Raju, Sadgop, Tamil, Tanti, Teli and Others.
After these there are also socially backward shudras like Chasi Kalbarta and Ahir who constituted 13% of the total population.
Around 8% of them were extremely backward Shudras. They were Bhuiya, Jogi, Shaha, Swarnakar, Subarna-banik, Sutradhar and others.
Around 49% of the total population belong to the Exterior classes. All this clearly shows that Bengal also was a region where considerable number of populations was subjected to untouchability. If we include the Shudra Population also who were subjected to untouchability, a total of 70% of the total Hindu Population was subjected to Untouchability practices. Even if we remove Animists, the % reduces only to 61% which is extremely high.
Now let us take the Orissa Region
So clearly this region has a high upper caste population with almost 31% of the population who are twice born. They are Brahman, Karan, Khandait and Others.
Socially Forward Shudras constitute around 34% of the Hindu Population. They are Chisa, Mali, Raju, Sudha, Barhi, Bhandari, Gaur, Gurla, Kamar and others. There are very few unclean shudras in this region. They are Gols, Tanti and Others.
Almost 28% of the population are in the exterior caste segment. Prominent among them are Jyotish, Kewat, Kumhar, Teli, Chmar, Bauri, Dhobi, Gokha, Kandra, Hari, Pan and Others
The above pie chart shows a substantially high number of Muslims in Bengal Region, almost 50%, mostly from East Bengal. Among them 94% of them were forward castes Muslims.
Mongoloid Tract — Yellow Color in the Map
Now let us take Mongoloid type of the Himalayas, Nepal, Assam and Burma represented by Kanets of Lahoul and Kulu, the Lepchas of Darjeeling, the Limbus, Murmis and Gurungs of Nepal, the Bodo of Assam, and the Burmese. Many of these portions are not in India, barring few places of Assam, Darjeeling.
The head is broad ; complexion dark with a yellowish tinge ; hair on face scanty; stature small or below average ; nose fine to broad ; face characteristically flat ; eyelids often oblique.
The Social Statistics of this group is enclosed below
In this, there are hardly any upper castes. They are only 3%. The Shudras who are clean account for 24%. The Extremely backward castes are almost 24%. The Scheduled Tribes are around 49%. This is surely a land of untouchability, and it was a collector from Assam who after seeing the condition of Tea coolies, made a detailed representation to the government on the problems of the Exterior castes. It is these exterior castes which went on to become the Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes later.
Let us take the remaining region, that is Sikkim, Koch Behar, and Hill Tuppers
Again, in this region there is an extraordinarily small upper caste population. Most of them are Shudras. The % of Low castes is around 19% and ST may be around 14%.
In the entire Mongoloid region, there were substantial number of Ashraf Muslims who were almost one third of the total population in these regions.
1901 was the basis for the stratification of Indian castes based on social backwardness. The next few censuses used this has the basis and there were additions/deletions and various claims made in the next few years. As we noticed
1931 Census
It is in the 1931 census that for the first time, Appendix 1 is introduced describing the issues of Exterior Castes which later became the Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The word depressed classes or exterior castes first appear in Census report of 1931 in Appendix 1. This report is one of the first report which clearly shows the atrocities, or the social sanction of untouchability imposed on an exceptionally large section of the Hindu Society for ages.
The General Belief in South is that North Indians are most Casteist. But what appears from the data and various evidence, that the proportion of people subjected to this inhuman practice of untouchability was much higher in Southern India as compared to Northern India. The extract of 1931 report, Appendix 1 states the following
The British India new that identifying depressed classes would be extremely difficult. So, they used the following possible tests which are defined below
(1) Whether the caste or class in question can be served by clean Brahmans or not.
(2) Whether the caste or class in question can be served by the barbers, water carriers, tailors, etc who serve the caste Hindus
(3) Whether the caste in question pollutes a high caste Hindu by contact or by Proximity?
(4) Whether the caste or class in question in one from whose hands a caste Hindus can take water?
(5) Whether the caste or class in question is debarred from using public conveniences such as roads, ferries, wells or schools?
(6) Whether the caste or class in question is debarred from the use of Hindu Temples?
(7) Whether in ordinary social intercourse a well educated member of the caste or class in question will be treated as an equal by high caste men of the same educational qualifications.
(8) Whether the caste or class in question is merely depressed on account of its own ignorance, illiteracy or poverty and but for that would be subject to no social disability.
(9) Whether it is depressed on account of the occupation followed and whether but for that occupation it would be subject to no social disability.
The percentage of exterior castes along with various percentages as proportion of Hindu Population and Total Population is given below.
As per these estimates, totally 21% of Hindu Population was subjected to Untouchability and 1.9% of them were educated. The following data will give the estimate of the exterior castes as a percentage of Hindu Population in various states, which may surprise you:
[1] Ajmer Merwara — 18%
[2] Assam — 37%
[3] Bengal — 32%
[4] Bihar and Orissa — 19%
[5] Central Provinces and Berar — 21%
[6] Delhi — 18%
[7] Madras — 18%
[8] Punjab — 20%
[9] United Provinces of Agra and Oud — 28%
[10] Gwalior State — 21%
[11] Hyderabad State — 20%
[12] Jammu and Kashmir State — 23%
[13] Madras States Agency — 45% ( Cochin state — 16%, Travancore — 56%, Other Madras State — 16%) — Kerala is the worst in untouchability practices…
[14] Mysore State — 17%
[15] Punjab states agency -25%
[16] United Provinces States — 22%
As evident Kerala had the worst form of untouchability practices and subjected many Hindus to extreme hardships.
So, it is not correct to say that North Indians are casteist !!!
Key Conclusions from the above analysis
From the analysis of various census categorizations, it was noticeably clear that there was an exceptionally large population who were subjected to various social exclusions by forward castes.
These included both the OBC’s and SC/ST. There is a clear social status associated with the Hindu society and analysis of the census documents from 1881 to 1951 clearly shows that both OBC’s and SC/ST are not homogenous.
The Brahmins/Kshatriyas/Vaishya’s were at the top of the varna system. However, among Shudras and Untouchables, there was varying degree of social backwardness. Based on the above analysis, we can classify the Hindu society as below with various categories of social backwardness among OBC’s and SC/ST.
The Sudras can be divided into
(a) Socially Forward Sudras — On a relative comparison scale, the twice born consider them as equal and accept food and water from them. Their presence is not considered polluting them nor is there any denial of public amenities like temples and wells in the pre independence era.
(b) Socially Backward Shudras — In this it is noticed that some twice born don't take water and food from them. They refuse to conduct rituals at birth and death. Exceptionally low degree of untouchability practices is seen
( c ) Extremely Backward Shudras — There are practices of untouchability and social restrictions noticed on these communities. However, they are not as severe as the ones which the exterior castes are put to
It is important to safeguard the Socially Backward Shudras and Extremely Backward Shudras, else all the benefits of the OBC reservation would be reaped by Socially Forward Shudras.
Please see the reference of National Commission for Backward Classes to Rohini Commission on Sub categorization of Backward classes.
In 2018, the Commission analyzed the data of 1.3 lakh central jobs given under OBC quota over the preceding five years and OBC admissions to central higher education institutions, including universities, IITs, NITs, IIMs and AIIMS, over the preceding three years.
The findings were: 97% of all jobs and educational seats have gone to just 25% of all sub-castes classified as OBCs; 24.95% of these jobs and seats have gone to just 10 OBC communities; 983 OBC communities — 37% of the total — have zero representation in jobs and educational institutions.
994 OBC sub-castes have a total representation of only 2.68% in recruitment and admissions.
So, we are seeing the problem of clubbing all the castes in one group, which will only help the most advanced among the OBC’s. This would happen despite the creamy layer since the creamy layer does not exclude many people. Let us take the creamy layer statistics
With such a less number compared to total population, the creamy layer is nothing more than a myth in India. Many were advocating creamy layer in SC/ST. With such a small number in OBC’s, the numbers will be too less in SC/ST.
Based on my analysis, the Creamy layer should be introduced only in Socially Forward Shudras, while in the next two categories, the creamy layer is of no significance.
Subcategorization of OBC is more equitable than introduction of creamy layer. However creamy layer should be introduced only in Socially Forward OBC’s and not others. Government can think of removing the creamy layer criteria in the next two categories.
In this National Commission for Backward Classes has suggested the entire Backward classes be split into three groups
(i) Extremely Backward Classes ( Group A) — If we look at the above model, this is nothing but the extremely Backward Shudras. Most of them map to this. Some of them are aboriginal tribes, Vimuktha Jatis, nomadic and semi nomadic tribes, wandering classes etc. No creamy layer proposed here.
(ii) More Backward Classes (Group B) — List of occupations which are not in higher status compared to others like butchers, barbers, petty traders, sheep rearing, scheduled castes converted into Christianity. These are mapped to socially backward shudras in the model above. No Creamy layer proposed here
(iii) Backward Classes ( Group C ) — There are comparatively forward backward classes who would include the land owning, cultivating castes, agriculturists, business and trading castes/communities and comparatively advanced castes/communities, with in the notified Other Backward classes. Requires Creamy Layer.
The above categorization would ensure equal representation for all groups. This categorization is a welcome move. Now apart from this, there is only one more group to be included that will be exclusive Muslim Reservation for Backward class Muslims. This would ensure that equal representation for all the group in the backward classes.
Among SC/ST, it is noticeably clear that there is considerable revolt that only certain group of castes are getting the bulk of SC reservations as compared to those who were subjugated to years of social exclusion.
It is in this background; we need to spilt SC/ST into three groups on similar lines of OBC’s. However, unlike OBC’s, the only criteria should be Social Backwardness and no creamy layer based on income exemption or other criteria existing in OBC’s can be done.
It is necessary to introduce proportionate reservation internally with in the SC/ST for more marginalized castes. Any attempt to introduce a creamy layer based on economic criteria would be completely unconstitutional since the same was never envisaged in the constitution. However, if there is sufficient evidence that one group is considered lower in social strata as compared to the other within the Scheduled castes, then sub categorization can be undertaken.
In view of this it is extremely important to provide proportionate reservation within the SC/ST and this will no way violate the altering the reservations stated with in the presidential order and would uphold the equality principle within Article 14 of the Indian constitution.
Equality among unequal's is not envisaged in constitution.
In view of this, the SC/ST should be subcategorized only based on social backwardness index and not on economic or educational backwardness. One such bifurcation is as below
(1) Extremely Socially Disadvantaged SC/ST( Group A)— These castes are the last in hierarchy. They are not only exposed to untouchability practices from Brahmanas, but even many castes within the Scheduled castes consider them as impure.
(2) More Socially Disadvantaged SC/ST( Group B) — These castes are those caste who are above the Extremely Socially Disadvantaged Scheduled Castes. They have higher social standing than the others
(3) SC/ST ( Group C) — As the caste census indicated that many touchable were included in the list on only one criterion that they eat Beef which is very inferior in Hindu Society. However, they were much higher in status compared to the untouchables.
The biggest problem in the current day modern day India, is the non-availability of data on adequate representation of various communities in government service, educational institutions. If these were collected, then it would be noticeably clear that only a few castes among the scheduled castes have cornered all the benefits. All the reports that have enquired into the conditions of sub castes are either hanging or not released, even after completion.
Post-Independence Census in 1951
Caste censuses were banned post 1951. However, we have the caste census estimation data in 1951 which identified the backward classes in various regions. These were only extremely back and socially backward classes. The 1951 census excluded many forward castes in shudras. Few analyses for some southern states is provided
Let us take Mysore Region
So in Mysore the General Category was almost 66%, while Backward classes where 18%. So, it is clear from that Backward classis in this region did not include Socially forward shudras in the beginning. The only backward classes envisaged in 1951 are as follows
Agasa, Boda, Gangemakula, Ganiga, Idiga, Jogi, Kumbara, Kuruba, Meda, Nayinda, Tigala and Uppara.
This in on analysis clearly shows that they were the extremely backward OBC’s who were similar in social status to SC/ST.
Now let us know what has happened.
The above shows that OBC, SC, ST as a share of population play a decisive role in Southern states. In Karnataka, the proportion was 62%. However, if we remove the Muslim Population of 14%. then it would be 62–14 = 48%.
The Backward classes population increased from 18% to 48% from 1951 to 2021.
In the current day Karnataka, except for Bangalore region, SC+ST+OBC form 90% of the population.
How did this happen? This has happened because large populations of Socially Forward Shudras and all major forward castes have been included in OBC list. This clearly shows that politics has played a decisive role in the inclusion of castes in OBC List. Large Socially Forward Shudras are displacing the extremely backward castes who were originally intended to be provided this reservation.
The same is the scenario everywhere.
In the next decade, it would be extremely important for each community to establish that they are socially backward compared to other communities. Huge documentation from the past census documents and historical archives may be necessary to prove a point that a community is backward.
To Conclude, Reservations within Reservation is the need of the hour and principles of equality enshrined in the constitution provides adequate safeguards to protect the most vulnerable among the OBCs/SC & ST
Equality among unequal’s is not envisaged in constitution.
Disclaimer : This is a literary work that is intended to help policy making. The views expressed are purely academic, literary and opinions if any are personal in nature.
