In the wake of a resurging debate over the Constitution and social justice, caste has once again taken center stage in Indian politics. With Karnataka reviving its caste census and Telangana moving to sub-categorize Scheduled Castes, the Congress party is clearly betting on a new axis of political mobilization-one rooted in the historic demand for recognition and redistribution. But can this narrative, centered on caste empowerment, cut through the dominant discourse shaped by the BJP's blend of welfare and nationalism?