As was widely expected, the Supreme Court has refused to entertain pleas challenging the ongoing caste census in Bihar. Besides the question about the merit of the petitions, there was an aspect which didn’t find explicit mention – that such a hearing could be viewed as an intrusion into the turf of executive functioning. Even though the court has suggested that the petitioners can approach Patna High Court, it’s unlikely that the latter’s view would be any different.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the ongoing caste census is set to end today. The second phase will start in April and the process is expected to be complete by May. The first phase has focused on enumerating over 2.5 crore households before the next phase verifies the caste identity details of over 12 crore people in the state.
