When the Union government recently announced that the upcoming Census would include caste enumeration, the country witnessed a wave of celebration, especially from opposition parties and social justice advocates. “Historic,” many called it. Others declared it a political win for the opposition, which had long demanded the move. But amidst the noise of victory, data,

1. Introduction The demand for a caste census has re-emerged as a central issue in Indian politics and public policy, particularly after Bihar’s 2023 caste survey and the Union Government’s approval of caste enumeration in the upcoming national census. While caste enumeration was a regular feature until 1931, its exclusion in later decades reflects India’s

Beyond Numbers — Minimum Wage as a Human Rights Imperative The minimum wage debate is often trapped in abstract economic models, political soundbites, and corporate boardroom discussions. Yet, at its core, it is a deeply human issue — one that speaks to the dignity of labor, the right to a decent life, and the collective