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Forward caste

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"Forward class" is used in India generally to denote peoples, communities and castes from any religion who do not currently qualify for Government of India Reservation benefits (that is, set quotas for political representation) for Other Backward Classes, scheduled castes and tribes.[1]. Since the list presented by the commission for OBC, SC, ST is dynamic (classes and communities can be added or removed) and will change from time to time depending on Social, Educational and Economic factors, the Forward Classes also are subject to change from time to time. The Government of India does not publish a separate list of forward classes. The population of these communities is estimated at around 36–39% of the Indian population based on various surveys conducted by Government of India.[2]

Classes and Communities

Classes considered forward everywhere and every time

Classes considered backward in some regions and forward in other regions

  • Chettiars aka Chettys are considered as forward in many other States in India, but they come under OBC in Tamil Nadu.
  • Vishvakarmas are considered as forward in Bengal, Maharashtra and many other States in India, but they come under OBC in Bihar, UP and other north Indian States.
  • A good lot of sub-castes among Banias in Bihar are listed in OBC list (Sl.No. 119)[4].
  • Thevar, Mukkulathors a Kshatriya caste mainly found in South India, are considered OBC in central list.
  • Dhangars in Maharashtra are OBC but in Karnataka they are in Open Category.
  • Gujjars are present in 11 states of India, out of which they are included in OBC in five states and general category in rest. They were included in OBC in Delhi, haryana and UP quite recently, otherwise they were included here as general class.
  • Kapu sub-castes such are Munnuru Kapu of the Telangana region and Turpu Kapu of Srikakulam & Visakhapatnam districts are included in the OBC list in Andhra Pradesh. Gavara is listed under Backward Caste (BC) list in Tamil Nadu.
  • Karuneegars, who are scribes by profession like Kayasthas of North India, are considered backward in Tamil Nadu.
  • Kurmi/Kunbi are forward in Gujarat and OBC in UP, MP,Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajasthan
  • Kumhar (Prajapati) in Gujarat, Rajasthan and elsewhere
  • Naidu and its sub-castes Telaga, Balija ,Ontari,Munnuru Kapu in Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu,Karnataka,Orissa, Maharashtra and Chattisgarh.

Other religious people who are not eligible for Reservation benefits

The following proportion of other religious (Non-Hindus) people are not eligible for reservations benefits:[5]

  • 59% of Muslims, mostly of foreign descent ashrafs: Syed, Sheikh, Mughal, Pashtun, Bohra.[6] All Muslims are considered backward in Kerala, and separate reservation is provided for them. Most of the Muslims living in south Indian states have been classified as backward.
  • 33% of Christians. In South Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and even Goa, many Christians follow a Hindu caste pattern.

An example are Kerala's Syrian Christians who follow Syriac Christianity and are believed to be converted from Hindus and Jews, and are descendants of the maritime trade syndicate that had links with Kerala from an early period. Other examples include different groups and denominations within Syrian Malabar Nasrani people who also fall in the unreserved category.

Goan Catholics follow a caste system which generally comes into play when choosing marriage partners. Roman Catholic Brahmins and Chardos (Kshatriyas) form the forward class where as Roman Catholic Shudras form the Christian backward class in Goa.

Christian Nadars, and Vanniars are a backward caste in these regions. Other Christians like Latin Catholics,[clarification needed] supposedly converted from the fishermen in the Kerala coast by the Jesuits, have been included in the list of most backward classes in states like Tamilnadu & Kerala.[7].[8]

Population

Estimate the forward classes population as anywhere from 5-15%.[9][10] However, they have not quoted sources for their estimations. National sample survey estimates Forward Class population almost same as Backward Classes at around 36%. Family health survey combined forward classes population along with all communities of other religions. If you exclude Backward classes of other religions, then it is around 38.6% which is more than Backward classes population. State wise Forward Class Population can be found from the chart.

File:StatewiseFC.jpg
NSS 99-00

Economic and educational status

Based on NSS-99-00.Rural/Urban weightages based on 2001 census)
File:FCEconomicUrban.jpg
Based on NSS-99-00.Rural/Urban weightages based on 2001 census)

The Government of India does not collect community census data except for SC/ST. Economic and educational level of various social groups are gauged using large sample surveys. The National Sample Survey taken in 1999–2000 and the National Family Health Survey taken in 2005-2006 (or perhaps an earlier round of the NFHS) estimated economic, educational, and health indicators of various communities. These surveys were used extensively in the report submitted by the oversight committee.[11]

Forward classes will have to compete only in the open category, as they are considered socially, educationally, and economically advanced. Currently the reservation proportion stands at 50% in central-government educational institutions and central-government jobs. However, in certain states such as Tamil Nadu, the reservation percentage stands at around 69%.[12]

Economic status

The 1998–1999 National Sample Survey calculated the economic status of forward communities separately for rural/urban areas in various income brackets. It shows

  • Only 6.4% of forward classes in rural areas appear in upper income bracket with per capita monthly income stands at above Rs 925 per month.
  • 30% of rural population is made up of forward classes.
  • More than 65% of forward classes per capita income stands below Rs 525 per month.

For urban areas:

  • Only 5.6% of forward classes appear in the upper-income bracket with per capita income at or above Rs. 1925 per month (around US $40).
  • More than 25% of forward classes per capita income stands below Rs. 500 per month (around $10)

Educational status

Based on NSS-99-00.Rural/Urban weightages based on 2001 census)
    • More than 30% of forward classes above 15 years of age are illiterate.
    • Only 8% of forward classes are graduates.
    • Around 85% of forward classes above 15 years of age have done equal to or below secondary Education (10 Years of Education)

Reservation for economically backward among forward classes

Currently forward classes are only allowed to compete for seats in the unreserved category in educational institutions and central government jobs, irrespective of their educational/economical status in the society. However, a significant percentage of the Forward Class population lives below the poverty line and more than 30% of the members of this community are illiterate. To meet their aspirations, demands have been raised for providing separate reservations for the poor among Forward Class populations. Many political parties like Congress, BJP, Samajwadi Party, LJP, Rastriya Janata Dal, Communist Party of India(Marxist), Bahujan Samaj Party[13][14][15][16] have supported proposals for providing separate reservation for the poor among the forward classes. These parties account for over 400 of the 542 members in the current parliament, as well as holding power in most states in the union.

Indian Government surveys have pointed out that Poverty is widespread in all communities. Indian definition of poverty is living life with less than 0.25 US$/Day(Approx). Whereas United nations definition of Poverty is living life with less than $1/Day.[1]. More than 65% of forward classes will be living below poverty line if UN poverty definition is considered.[2]

Timeline

  • 1991: Congress Government headed by Narasimha Rao introduced 10% separate reservation for poor among forward classes.
  • 1992: The Supreme court has ruled in the Indra Sawhney case that separate reservation for poor among forward classes as invalid. Government has withdrawn separate reservation as per supreme court judgement.(Many other verdicts given in same case has been overruled by constitutional amendments like quota in promotions, Exceeding 50% reservations for Tamilnadu, Judgement regarding creamy layer in the same case was not implemented by Tamilnadu so far.)
  • 2003: BJP Government appointed Group of Ministers for suggesting measures for implementation of separate reservation for poor among forward classes. [5]
  • 2004: Task force has been setup to work out modalities for providing reservations to Poor among forward classes.No information available regarding report submitted by this task force.[6]
  • 2006: Present Congress Government appointed commission to study separate reservation for economically backward classes.[7]
  • 2006: Communist government in Kerala earmarked 12% seats in private professional colleges for economically poor among forward classes.[8]

Many backward class leaders allege forward classes are over represented in many spheres of life. State and central governments have not released adequate data regarding representation of various communities in their services and admissions to educational institutions.Most of the Private companies in India does not collect data regarding community of their employees.Very few reports are available regarding representation of various communities in Public/Private services and admissions in educational institutions.

  • In Tamil Nadu forward classes have secured around 1.9% of seats in Medical colleges in 2004 and 2.68 % seats in 2005 as against their population percentage of 13%.See Also Caste Based Reservations In Tamil Nadu. This trend of poor representation has continued for the last 10 years as claimed by lawyers in one of the Reservation cases.[9]
    • Narendra committee report in Kerala has pointed out that forward classes representation in Public services and PSU units is around 36 to 38% which is more or less equal to their population.[10].
    • Karnataka Minister in state Assembly has announced that per capita income of the Brahmins is lesser than all communities including scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.[11]
    • Oversight committee in its final report has indicated that forward classes are placed better than Backward classes in some indicators and comparable with Backward classes in few indicators and backward classes are superior in some parameters like Health indicators in states like Assam, Maharastra, Haryana, West Bengal, etc.[12]
    • National Survey 99-00 indicates that forward classes are better placed than SC/ST in almost all parameters. However, in rural unemployment,forward classes score worser than all other communities.
    • Recently released Provisional report of National Survey 04-05 states that Buying capacity of Backward Classes in rural and urban areas are comparable to forward classes. It also revises Backward classes figure as 41%. It also states that Landownership of Backward classes are comparable to Forward Classes. It reiterates its earlier finding(in 99-00 survey) that forward classes are poorly employed(More unemployment).[13]
Rural landholding pattern of various social groups calculated by National Sample Survey 99-00 indicate that OBC and forward classes are comparable in Wealthiness.)
    • National surveys used rural landholding pattern to assess wealthiness of various social groups. Its findings indicate that OBC and FC are comparable and there is a very minor difference between them. There is a big difference between OBC/FC and SC. Even Scheduled Tribes are placed better than Scheduled Castes. Experts who analysed National survey results point out that other backward classes are near average in many parameters.Please refer chart.[14]

Shrinking educational opportunities

During April 2006, India’s Human Resource Minister announced that 27% seats will be reserved exclusively for candidates from Other Backward Classes in addition to existing 22.5 % reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.[15] This announcement was done when polling process was underway in Tamilnadu and Kerala (States with highest backward class population in India).[16] Incidentally many opinion polls at that time were predicting rout of ruling UDF alliance in these states.[17](UDF alliance subsequently won in Tamilnadu but lost in Kerala). Election commission reprimanded Human Resources Ministry for making such announcement when election process was in progress.[18]

Sachar committee report indicated that Hindu OBC's enrollment in all educational institutions is close to their populations in the 2004-5 national survey (page 93/425 of Sachar committee report). Union Human Resources minister appointed panel to study about sachar committee recommendations regarding Indian Muslims[3] but did not give his opinion on this subject.

Impact of announcement on forward classes

After the implementation of OBC reservation, only 50% of seats are available in open competition. All communities can compete in open competition which means forward classes must secure between 72% and 78% of the 'open competition' seats in order to maintain their representation in keeping with their estimated population of 36-39%, whereas other communities will get major chunk of seats through exclusive reservations. This has resulted in protests from Forward Class community members and supporters from other communities under the banner of Youth for Equality. They have pointed out following as reasons for their protests.[19]

    • The Government has implemented reservations for the Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes for the last 60 years, however the social and economic situation of these groups has not shown much improvement. This might be interpreted as an indication of the ineffectiveness of reservation in higher educational institutions as a means of achieving social equality.
    • Any difference between proportion of different communities in Higher educational institutions is mainly because of difference in primary school enrollment. (This fact was also confirmed in National sample surveys and pointed out by Oversight committee in its final report). Government should attack the cause instead of providing reservation at higher education level
    • Already 24% of college seats are with Other backward classes. Providing another 27% seats will deprive chances of forward classes.
    • Reservation on the basis of caste is cornered only by rich and affluent. For example daughter of former President of India got admission into Indian Foreign Services denying opportunity to another poor person from her own community.
Certain Indian states has forward classes population of more than 50% or close to 50%. In some of these states,no.of forward classes admitted in educational institutions will be much less than their population even if they secure 100% seats in open competition.)

Interestingly Government of India decided to introduce 27% reservations for other backward classes all over India. Many states does not have even 27% of other backward class population as per national sample surveys.(This includes major Indian states like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal).[20].Some Indian states like Assam, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal has more than 50% forward classes population [21]which means no. of seats secured by forward classes will not be equal to their population proportion even if they secure 100% seats in open competition in central government institutions of these states. Central government, however, excluded 27% reservations to other backward classes to the areas with high tribal populations.[22].

References

  1. ^ indianexpress.com
  2. ^ http://mospi.nic.in/rept%20_%20pubn/ftest.asp?rept_id=469&type=NSSO surveys
  3. ^ Central list of other backward classes
  4. ^ Central list of other backward classes
  5. ^ Sachar committee report.
  6. ^ Most Muslims covered by Quota The Times of India. Retrieved on November 27, 2006.
  7. ^ classes/tamilnadu.html
  8. ^ Central List Of Other Backward Classes
  9. ^ The Hindu
  10. ^ 'What more do the upper castes want?'
  11. ^ MOSPI.NIC.IN
  12. ^ Tamil Nadu's quota stir an assertion of its 69 percent? (NEWS ANALYSIS) - India
  13. ^ ExspressIndia.com Link 01
  14. ^ ExpressIndia.com Link 02
  15. ^ The Hindu : National : Paswan for quota for economically backward
  16. ^ The Hindu : Cong. for 'quota' for poor among forward castes
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