Patna: Despite recent caste census figures indicating that Scheduled Castes (SC) constitute approximately 19.65% of the state’s population, only three to four castes within them are politically empowered. Their representation on every political platform surpasses that of other castes. These predominantly include Paswan (Dusadh), Musahar, and Ravidas communities, comprising about 13.6% of the population. Conversely, the remaining 19 castes account for about six percent of the population and are largely sidelined in political representation.
No Representation for 18 Castes:
Despite the inclusion of various castes in the SC category, only a handful have secured political representation. In the latest election, candidates from the Paswan caste won four reserved seats, while one seat each was won by candidates from the Musahar and Ravidas communities. Similarly, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Paswan candidates clinched victory on four reserved seats, while Musahar and Ravidas candidates secured one each.
Four Castes Dominate Seven Seats:
In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, candidates from the Ravidas, Musahar, Paswan, and Dhobi communities each won one reserved seat, while the Paswan community secured victory on four seats. The remaining 18 castes are largely overlooked in political representation. Political parties often proclaim, “Equal participation equals equal share.” However, with the release of caste-wise census reports, there is growing sentiment for fair political representation and government benefits among the marginalized castes.
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