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The proposed committee will be tasked with analysing existing caste-related data and conducting fresh surveys to gauge and understand the real-time effectiveness of welfare schemes
The RSS’s intervention comes at a time when the caste discourse has re-entered national political dynamics with renewed intensity. (PTI)
In a significant move following the Narendra Modi government’s announcement of including caste in the census process, the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is learnt to have suggested the formation of a dedicated committee to assess ground-level caste realities and formulate a structured response to emerging socio-political concerns. This is the organisation’s internal idea that is now being considered by the top brass.
“The suggestion, shared through its internal communication channels, reflects the Sangh’s growing focus on engaging with the evolving caste equations and the socio-economic impact, while firmly asserting that caste-based data must be used exclusively for public welfare—not political gain,” said a senior RSS functionary.
The functionary, familiar with the development, added: “The committee should not merely rely on existing statistics. It must undertake empirical and ground surveys to understand how data on SCs, STs and OBCs have actually contributed to public welfare and what have been the results in terms of upliftment and development.”
Ensure welfare, not politics
The proposed committee, as per internal deliberations, would be tasked with both analysing existing caste-related data and conducting fresh surveys to gauge and understand the real-time effectiveness of welfare schemes. The focus would be on evidence-driven insights that will help shape policy direction for both state and central governments.
Importantly, the RSS has always emphasised that the intent behind this move is not to deepen caste lines but to dismantle narratives that exploit them and the narratives that try to divide people.
“There are forces in this country that have, for long, tried to divide Hindus based on caste identities. Their sole aim has been dividing Hindus to reap political benefits,” said another senior functionary. “That cannot be allowed to continue. The purpose of data must be upliftment, not vote-bank arithmetic,” he added.
Samajik Samrasta Only Way Forward: RSS
On the issue of caste census, the Sangh has taken a nuanced stand and it has been walking a careful line—acknowledging the presence of caste-based disparities while resisting any attempt to politicise them.
The proposed framework, if implemented, would likely include recommendations to ensure transparency, define how welfare outcomes are monitored, and establish boundaries to prevent the misuse of data for electoral mobilisation.
“The idea is to create a blueprint that enables governments to act justly,” said the first functionary. “But we have to ensure that no one uses caste data as a political weapon. That would defeat the purpose.”
The RSS’s intervention comes at a time when the caste discourse has re-entered national political dynamics with renewed intensity. But unlike any overt political messaging, the Sangh’s approach appears geared towards building an internal consensus on how caste realities should be addressed with the emphasis clearly on Samajik Samrasta (social harmony) and data-backed welfare.
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