Bihar caste survey explained: What is Mandal vs Mandir 2.0 debate? How it can impact Nitish Kumar’s government

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the data of the much-opposed Bihar caste survey on Monday, October 2, revealing a clear majority of OBCs and EBCs in the state, which is now giving rise to another debate on caste-based politics.

While the Opposition and the Patna High Court had vehemently opposed the advancement of the Bihar caste survey, the Supreme Court eventually gave the Bihar government the go-ahead for the census, which revealed that OBCs and EBCs make up 63 percent of the state’s population.

Yadavs came out to be the biggest sub-group in the Other Backward Classes (OBC), and is also the community of RJD leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. Meanwhile, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up over 21 percent of the 13 crore-strong population of Bihar.

The Bihar caste survey is now giving rise to a Mandal vs Mandir 2.0 situation in the state, with the Opposition accusing the Nitish Kumar-Tejashwi Yadav government of indulging in caste politics and the likelihood of reviving the reservation debate in the state.

Mandal vs Mandir 2.0 in Bihar

A political row was triggered in the entire country when the Mandal Commission was passed, recommending 27 percent of government jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBC). The report was backed by the BJP but was vehemently opposed by the Congress.

Rajiv Gandhi had staunchly opposed the Mandal Commission in the Parliament when the issue was raised, calling it a “can of worms” and divisive politics, which can further trigger a row about more reservations amid limited seats.

The caste survey in Bihar is likely to trigger a Mandal 2.0 controversy, according to opposition party BJP, as the debate about revising the reservation for OBC, EBC and SC/ST, since they hold the majority in the state. The heavy population of the Yadav community in Bihar is also a matter of debate, since RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family has major influence over the community.

Through the Bihar caste survey, Nitish Kumar-Tejashwi Yadav government in the state can secure their power since both hold a strong connection with the OBC and EBC classes, with the Bihar CM belonging to the Kurmi community and the RJD leader being a Yadav.

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