While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.
Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.
'There is no immediate threat to the government, and they would prefer the growth agenda.'
Collecting caste-based data will be a major challenge, but it would have to be delinked from the census, to prevent respondents from misrepresenting facts, says Amitabh Kundu
Most economists were of the view that the NSSO should release the data, as any move to withhold it will dent the image of country's statistical system.
The fact that the responses from the community to Mohan Bhagwat's remarks have ranged from guarded optimism to outright disbelief tells its own story, points out Kanika Dutta.
Majority of 'Bimaru' states register faster fall in rural poverty, while pace mostly other way round for others
'I want to have a long lasting and impactful presence as an artist on the screen and keep surprising myself.'
'As a student of history, I am no pessimist, but regardless of which party/coalitions comes to power on May 23, the space for secularism, pluralism and minority rights has shrunk significantly,' says Mohammad Sajjad.
Govt diverts Rs 253-crore subsidy savings to the poor.
While there is no denying that certain sections of the community deserve aid, the politics of reservation can be suicidal for India.
'The Modi government must create conditions to integrate millions into the rural economy as many migrants are certainly not going to return to live an undignified life,' notes Ramesh Menon.
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