Bengal Government Launches Re-Verification of Caste Certificates Issued Since 2011 to Enhance Accuracy and Integrity.

The West Bengal government has initiated a re-verification process for all caste certificates issued since 2011, citing challenges to their authenticity. The directive stems from a review meeting chaired by the competent authority and aims to ensure compliance with legal standards and norms governing the issuance of caste certificates. Approximately 1.69 crore certificates, including those for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), were issued in this timeframe, with concerns particularly surrounding the 47.8 lakh certificates distributed during the Trinamool Congress regime through Duare Sarkar camps.

Minister for Tribal Development and Backward Classes, Kshudiram Tudu, raised alarms about the prevalence of fake certificates coming to light soon after taking office, asserting the need for accountability among officials responsible for issuing these documents. Following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) establishment of governance post-2026 elections, investigations into the practices of the previous regime have intensified. The BJP’s commitment to addressing issues such as improper certificate issuance in areas like Jangalmahal highlights their promise of accountability that resonated with voters.

Furthermore, a separate controversy regarding the inclusion of Muslim castes in the OBC list under the previous administration has prompted the BJP to withdraw a review petition from the Supreme Court. The party contends that this removal was necessary to rectify alleged irregularities in the inclusion process which lacked a proper survey. This decision, characterized by the West Bengal BJP as significant in restoring fairness to the OBC system, aims to ensure that only legitimate beneficiaries receive entitlements, marking a shift in governance from appeasement to accountability.