Survey had sought steps to elevate upper castes in 2012

PATNA: The Centre’s decision to provide 10% reservation in central jobs and all educational institutions to economically weaker sections from among the upper castes may find all the more relevance in Bihar as a study commissioned by Nitish Kumar-led government in 2011-12 had observed that there are many economically weaker sections even in the upper castes, which require support of the government for their uplift.

Bihar is the only state in the country where an Upper Caste Commission was set up in February 2011 with retired judge of Allahabad high court D K Trivedi as its chairman and four others from both Hindu and Muslim communities as members. The commission, as per its mandate, commissioned a first-of-its-kind survey of economic and educational status of upper caste population in Bihar by Patna-based Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI).

The study report, released in 2012, came out with many surprising observations, like despite being traditionally engaged in all knowledge related activities, illiteracy rate among Brahmins was the highest (21.8%) among all target Hindu upper castes, including Rajputs (20.4%), Bhumihars (18.8%) and Kayasthas (14.6%).

The survey assessed that nearly one-fifth of the upper caste population was illiterate, in both rural and urban areas of the state.

The survey was conducted in 20 districts (for rural population) and five districts (for urban population). The sample size for the survey was 10,099 households — 8,490 rural households and 1,609 urban households. The study concluded that many of these households were economically stressed in spite of their higher caste status.

According to the study, nearly 20% of the total population belong to upper castes, either Hindu (Brahmin, Bhumihar, Rajput and Kayasth) or Muslim (Sheikh, Syed and Pathan).

In another observation, the ADRI study stated that nearly one-fourth of the workforce among the upper caste population, both for Hindus and Muslims, is unemployed. “Surprisingly, this unemployment rate is the highest among the Bhumihars, a community which is most advantaged in terms of land endowments,” the report reads.

In terms of educational status among upper caste Muslims, it was stated that Syeds enjoyed the literacy rate of 76.5%, far ahead of other two castes – Pathans (60.7%) and Sheikhs (59%).

In terms of gender, the ADRI report has stated that barely 2.6% of upper caste women in rural areas, both for the Hindus and Muslims, are employed. In urban areas, 7.6% of the upper caste Hindu women and 7.4% of upper caste Muslim women are working.

In terms of literacy rats, the upper caste Hindus were ahead of their Muslim counterparts.

The report concluded that in spite of higher average incomes, many upper caste households still live below poverty line.

The ADRI survey also made a couple of recommendations, including need for the state government to undertake specific steps to help the disadvantaged among the upper caste.

“One may consider all upper caste households with an annual household income below Rs 1.50 lakh as seriously disadvantaged. Henceforth, all upper caste households having an annual household income of less than Rs 1.50 lakh should be included in all welfare programmes meant for the disadvantaged population in the state,” the survey recommended.

ADRI FINDINGS

20% of the state’s total population are from upper castes, either Hindu (Brahmin, Bhumihar, Rajput and Kayastha) or Muslim (Sheikh, Syed and Pathan)

Nearly one-fifth of the upper caste population is illiterate in both rural and urban areas

Illiteracy rate among Brahmins highest (21.8%) among all target Hindu upper castes

Nearly one-fourth of the workforce among the upper caste population, both for Hindus and Muslims, is unemployed

Barely 2.6% of the upper caste women in rural areas, both for the Hindus and Muslims, are employed

In spite of higher average incomes, many upper caste households still live below poverty line