In his Dussehra speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon citizens to end distortions such as ‘casteism’ and ‘regionalism’ that are disturbing harmony in the society – a narrative that the BJP has been using to counter the Opposition’s renewed demand for a caste census across the country. This demand, which could open the doors to equal opportunities for marginalised castes across the country, may also dent the prospects of Narendra Modi-led BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year.