In this episode of Frontline Conversations, academic and author, Anand Teltumbde speaks with Frontline’s Amey Tirodkar about his latest book, The Caste Con Census, and the turbulent debate over the caste census in India. Teltumbde questions whether enumeration can dismantle caste or whether it risks reinforcing the very hierarchies it claims to challenge. He traces how colonial censuses transformed caste into a rigid, state-certified order, argues that today’s push for a caste census risks repeating those mistakes, and dissects how both the BJP and Congress are weaponising caste data for political gain. He warns that without genuine redistribution and structural reform, a caste census could deepen social fragmentation while masking the state’s failure in education, health, and livelihood. Highlights: How colonial censuses turned caste from a fluid practice into a rigid hierarchy Why counting caste may not cure inequality The BJP’s strategic embrace of the caste census and its political motives Congress’s late but tactical shift toward social justice and representation Why data without redistribution can’t dismantle caste or economic inequality Caste politics and social justice in India Historical roots of colonial classification The Bihar 2025 election and the politics of caste The intersection of caste, class, and neoliberalism Perfect for those interested in: Credits: Interview by Amey Tirodkar Camera: Emmanual Jackkie Karbhari Editing: Razal Pareed Produced by Mridula Vijayarangakumar Originally published on November 8, 2025 Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter -   / frontline_india   Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295