Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav in Patna. File photo
| Photo Credit: ANI

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and put forward several demands to be included in the caste enumeration including reservation in the private sector.

On 30th April 2025, the Modi government announced the addition of a caste census in the forthcoming population survey.

Mr. Yadav demanded that there should be reservation in contracts, judiciary, proportional reservation based on caste census data and full implementation of pending Mandal Commission recommendations.

Mr. Yadav alleged that for years, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre dismissed the calls for a caste census as divisive and unnecessary.

“When Bihar took the initiative to conduct its own caste survey, central authorities including the top law officer of the government and your party created obstacles at every step. Your party colleagues questioned the very necessity of such data collection. Your belated decision represents an acknowledgement of the groundswell of demands from the citizens who have long been relegated to the margins of our society,”Mr. Yadav said in the letter posted on social media platform ‘X’ on Saturday. 

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader further said that the Bihar caste survey, which revealed that Other Backward Class (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Class (EBCs) constitute approximately 63% of state’s population, shattered many myths perpetuated to maintain the status quo.

“Similar patterns are likely to emerge nationwide. I am sure that the revelation that disadvantaged communities form the overwhelming majority of our population while remaining severely under-represented in positions of power will create a democratic awakening transcending political boundary,”Mr. Yadav said.

‘Caste census first step of the long journey’

He added that conducting the caste census is merely the first step of the long journey towards social justice and the census data must lead to a comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies.

The former Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Yadav explained that the cap on reservations will also have to be reconsidered post caste census.

He claimed that the caste census is also an opportunity to correct enduring injustices in the upcoming delimitation exercise.

“The redrawing of constituencies should be sensitive to and reflective of the census data. Special provisions must be made for adequate political representation of OBCS and EBCs who have been systematically excluded from decision-making forums. Hence, they will need to be expanded based on the proportional representation principle in state assemblies and the parliament of India,”Mr. Yadav said.

He pointed out that the Constitution, through its Directive Principles, mandates the state to reduce economic inequalities and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Mr. Yadav said that when we know exactly how many of our citizens belong to disadvantaged groups and their economic condition, targeted interventions must be designed with greater precision.

“The private sector, which has been a major beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain insulated from social justice imperatives. Companies have received substantial benefits-land at concessional rates, power subsidies, tax exemptions, infrastructure support, and various financial incentives all funded by taxpayer money,”Mr. Yadav said in the two page letter.

He added, “In return, it is entirely reasonable to expect the private sector to reflect the social composition of our country. The context created by the caste census must be used to have open conversations about inclusivity and diversity in the private sector across organisational hierarchies.”

Calling the decision historic, Mr. Yadav said that the decision to conduct the caste census can be a transformative moment in our nation’s journey towards equality.

He asked whether the data be used as a catalyst for systemic reforms, or will it be confined to dusty archives like many previous commission reports?

Mr. Yadav also promised constructive cooperation asserting that in utilizing the census findings for genuine social transformation.

“The millions who have struggled for this census await not just data but dignity, not just enumeration but empowerment,”Mr. Yadav said.