Caste census in Himachal Pradesh: The potential political impact and what experts say

Himachal Pradesh has 12 districts: Lahaul and Spiti, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Chamba, Kinnaur, Kangra, and Kullu. The entire district of Lahaul and Spiti, along with certain parts of Chamba, Kinnaur, Kangra, and Kullu districts, has been categorised as a snow-bound non-synchronous area. These areas are not aligned with the regular agricultural and developmental cycles due to prolonged snow cover, remoteness, and unique topographical or climatic challenges.

Here’s a look at the caste break-up in Himachal Pradesh, how the caste Census will be held in the state, the dispute involving the Hattee community, and whether such a survey will impact state politics.

What is the caste composition of Himachal Pradesh?

The total population of the state is approximately 77.56 lakh, including around 40 lakh men and 37 lakh women. As per the Himachal Pradesh government’s Directorate for the Empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Minorities, and Specially Abled (ESOMSA), Scheduled Castes (SCs) comprise approximately 25 per cent of the total population. While OBCs account for 13.52 per cent of the population, Scheduled Tribes (STs) make up around 5.71 per cent.

Nine out of the 12 districts in Himachal have a significant SC population, and at least 57 castes have been officially notified as SCs in the state. The majority of the SC population belongs to Kori/Koli, Lohar, Julaha, Balmiki, Khatik, Jogi, Ad Dharmi, Dhanak, Gagra, Dhogri, Dhangri, and Siggi castes, among others.

The state government has notified 11 tribes as STs, including the Hattee community — a close-knit group primarily residing in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district, which was given the ST status in 2023.

Meanwhile, 52 castes have been classified as OBCs in the state, including Aheri, Ahori, Heri, Naik, Thori, Popo Brahman, Bahti, and Gaddi.

How will the caste Census be conducted in Himachal Pradesh? Who will oversee the process?

Deep Shikha Sharma, a 2011 batch IFS officer from the AGMUT cadre, was appointed director of the Directorate of Census Operations, Himachal Pradesh, earlier this month, but she is yet to assume charge.

“The caste Census will be conducted by employees of the state government. These may include teachers, anganwadi workers, and other government staff,” Ashish Chauhan, Deputy Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Himachal Pradesh, said. “Our directorate will train them in the methods to be used for conducting the caste survey. Although we have not yet received a training schedule from our headquarters in Delhi, we expect to undergo training ourselves before training the state government staff,” he added.

The methodology will involve door-to-door data collection by enumerators using either digital tools, mobile apps, or paper forms. The process will include verification against official documents (caste and income certificates), data analysis, and consolidation of caste-wise population statistics, along with cross-sectional analyses linking caste data with socio-economic indicators.

What are the ongoing caste-related disputes in Himachal Pradesh?

Despite the official classifications under SC, ST, and OBC categories, a significant dispute involving the Hattee community — granted ST status by the central and state governments in 2023 — is currently sub judice in the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

Some representatives from the SC and OBC communities residing in the Trans-Giri region, who are considered a part of the Hattee community, have approached the court opposing the ST status, arguing that this could lead to benefits for many upper-caste individuals in the area, potentially diluting the benefits meant for marginalised communities. They have also expressed concern about losing their existing status as SCs or OBCs. Consequently, the high court issued a stay on the notification by the state government. The matter is scheduled for hearing on July 7.

“We are hopeful that by the time the caste Census begins in 2027, the high court will have arrived at a logical conclusion. We have fought a long battle to secure ST status for the Hattee community and the scheduled status for our area,” Ami Chand Kamal, president of the Kendriya Hattee Samiti, said.

What do political experts have to say?

Out of the 68 Assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, 17 are reserved for SCs and three for STs — namely, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, and Bharmour. Of the 17 SC-reserved seats, six are in Kangra and three in Mandi, reflecting the high SC population in these districts.

In October 2023, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had termed the caste Census as a “formality”, saying “everyone knows about caste in Himachal”.

According to Joginder Singh Saklani, Associate Professor at Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla, a caste Census will not have a major impact on politics in the state. “First of all, one of the main objectives of the caste census is to identify sub-castes within broader caste categories. While this will aid central and state governments in designing more effective welfare policies, I believe it will have little impact on state politics, which is predominantly driven by regional rather than caste considerations,” Saklani said.

“For example, Upper Himachal, which includes districts like Shimla and the upper parts of Kullu and Mandi, has long dominated state politics. Leaders from Lower Himachal, comprising Kangra, Hamirpur, and Una, often feel politically marginalised,” he added.

Vikas Singh, Associate Professor, Political Science, HPU, pointed out that many past surveys in the state have recorded caste data, but not sub-caste distinctions. “In the context of Himachal, the caste census may not significantly influence electoral politics, but it will certainly provide useful data for assessing socio-economic conditions across castes,” he said.

However, Additional Chief Secretary, Tribal Development Department, Onkar Chand Sharma, said the survey would definitely impact state politics. “The caste survey was held once in 1931… although there were certain surveys pertaining to castes, but not a Census. The upcoming caste Census will change many dimensions,” Sharma said.