Key Points
- The 2025 Bihar Assembly election is set to be dominated by the contentious issue of the caste census, which has reignited old social and political equations.
- Congress and Samajwadi Party are aggressively championing the caste census, aiming to position themselves as the voice of backward classes, Dalits, and extremely backward communities.
- BJP is treading cautiously-promoting OBC leaders to retain backward class support, while avoiding a clear stance to maintain its Hindu unity narrative.
- The release of caste census data could dramatically reshape ticket distribution, manifestos, and alliances, making it a pivotal factor in the upcoming elections.
- The outcome will not just decide political power, but could redefine Bihar’s social structure for the next decade.
Patna: As Bihar gears up for the crucial 2025 assembly elections, the political temperature is soaring-not just over promises and development agendas, but over the deeply rooted and explosive issue of the caste census. In a state where politics is woven into the fabric of identity, history, and social equations, the demand for a caste-based headcount has once again become the epicenter of all political strategies.
Congress and Samajwadi Party: Aggressive Push for Social Justice
The Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) have seized the initiative, turning the caste census into a mass movement. Rahul Gandhi’s slogan, “Jiski Jitni Sankhya Bhaari, Uski Utni Bhaagidari” (Proportionate Representation for Every Community), is resonating from rural Bihar to social media. The Congress, aiming to reclaim its lost base among Dalits, OBCs, and extremely backward classes, is positioning itself as the new champion of social justice-a role once synonymous with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD.
The SP, though traditionally a minor player in Bihar, is leveraging Akhilesh Yadav’s success with caste coalitions in Uttar Pradesh. The party is actively campaigning to replicate its UP model, hoping to tap into the emotional and political energy generated by the demand for a caste census.
BJP’s Balancing Act: OBC Outreach vs. Hindu Unity
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself walking a tightrope. On one hand, it is projecting OBC leaders to reassure backward caste voters of their representation. On the other, the party is wary of the divisive potential of caste data, which could fracture its carefully built narrative of Hindu unity and “cultural nationalism.” As a result, BJP’s stance remains ambiguous-neither openly supporting nor opposing the caste census, but preparing for all possible political outcomes.
Why the Caste Census Matters in 2025
The possible release of caste census figures before the elections could be a political earthquake. The data would not just be numbers, but a blueprint for ticket distribution, coalition building, and manifesto promises. For Congress and SP, it’s a chance to script a new era of social justice. For BJP, it’s a challenge to preserve its broad-based appeal without alienating key social blocs.
More Than an Election: A Redefinition of Bihar’s Social Order
This election is about more than just who wins or loses. The caste census has become a symbol of Bihar’s ongoing quest for social justice and representation. The way parties handle this issue could redefine the state’s social structure and political landscape for the next decade.
Whoever can navigate this complex terrain with wisdom, balance, and foresight will not only win votes, but also shape the future of Bihar’s identity politics.
As Bihar heads into a historic election, the caste census is more than a political card-it’s a test of leadership, vision, and the ability to manage the state’s complex social fabric. The outcome could shape not just the next government, but the very nature of representation and justice in Bihar for years to come.
