Beyond politics, the Bihar caste survey is a revolutionary document.
A public document, the first ever after 1931, allowing for people to stand up and be counted.
We go down to the wire, on what each of the numbers unveiled mean.
Who are the people referred to by percentages in the survey?
Today we look at Bakkho (36,830).
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In a society based on the principle of superiority by birth, people born with the stigma of untouchability are discriminated against at birth itself. No one can remain unaffected by it. For example, there is a caste group – Bakkho – whose members are citizens of this country like the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kayasthas, Yadavs, Dhobis and Paswans. However, their national population cannot be estimated because they were not even mentioned in the last declared caste census which was conducted in 1931. In the 1901 census, however, they did find mention. A long time has passed.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
The caste survey report in Bihar has revealed that the population of Bakkho caste group is only 36,830. Although it can be assumed that the people of group are present in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as in Indian states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, nothing concrete can be claimed about them in terms of statistics.
Generally, Bakkho are people who do not have a roof over their heads and live like nomads. Similar castes are included in nomadic, semi-nomadic and non-notified categories. But Bakkho is not one of them. In Bihar, they are included in the Extremely Backward Class category. This is because the people of Bakkho caste group have left their nomadic style of living and established permanent settlements. They work as agricultural labourers in addition to their traditional work.
The traditional occupation of the Bakkho caste group is completely unique because of the joviality involved in it. Owing to their cheerful nature they reach people’s doorsteps on every joyous occasion and sing songs of happiness. In doing so, they do not differentiate between Hindus and Muslims.The women in Bakkho families support the men in this work and are referred to as ‘Bakkhoin.’
Earlier, people mostly donated grains, clothes and cash. Bakkhos would sometimes become Bhishtis to serve water or clean roads and drains.
But times changed. Earlier people used to request Bakkho people to visit their houses and sing for them. Many even offered land as gift in addition to money. As a result, these nomadic people found a place to live. But such appreciation is now rare.
Among Hindus, a similar caste group is called Nutt. On the occasion of Chhath, childless women request them to dance to bring good tidings. This is called the Natua dance.
Now, the Bakkhos have given up playing the Khanjari, a frame drum, and have also stopped singing songs. Instead, they work as daily wage labourers. One might encounter them carrying utensils and old clothes in baskets over their heads. Sometimes, in remote rural areas of Bihar, their melodious voices can still be heard.
Translated from Hindi by Naushin Rehman. Read the Hindi original here.
Read earlier parts of the series on the following communities by clicking on their names: Ghasi | Santrash | Madaria | Koeri/Kushwaha | Chaupal | Nai/Hajjaam | Pasi | Rangrez | Chamar | Gorkan | Jutt | Yadav | Kamar | Chik | Bari and Bauri | Dhuniya | Donwar | Sinduria Baniya | Bhathiyara | Dabgar | Kumhar | Amaat | Dhobi | Paswan | Kevat | Bhishti.
