In this post, notes of “Unit 4: Caste and Politics” from “DSC 15: Political Process in India” are given which is helpful for the students doing graduation this year.
1. Introduction to Caste and Politics
What is Caste in India?
- Caste ranks people based on family background: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Dalits.
- The British strengthened caste identities through surveys in the 1800s.
- After 1947, the Constitution ended untouchability and introduced reservations to fight discrimination.
Caste’s Impact on Society and Politics in India
- Caste affects: social status, jobs, marriages, and community ties.
- In politics, caste matters for:
- Getting Votes → Parties form caste-based alliances.
- Choosing Leaders → Many politicians rely on caste support.
- Reservations → Quotas exist in education, jobs, and elections.
- Caste-Based Political Parties → Represent Dalits, OBCs, and regional groups.
Main Ideas About Caste and Politics
✅ M.N. Srinivas (Dominant Caste Theory) → Land-owning, large-numbered castes (Jats, Yadavs, Marathas) control local politics.
✅ Rajni Kothari (Caste in Politics & Politics in Caste)
- Caste in Politics → Parties use caste to win votes.
- Politics in Caste → Castes evolve politically, forming new alliances.
✅ Christophe Jaffrelot (Rise of Lower Castes in Politics) → Dalits & OBCs gained power due to the Mandal Commission and political awareness.
Summary
Caste shapes Indian politics, influencing elections, leadership, and policies through votes, quotas, and political mobilization.
2. Caste in Politics and Its Role
History of Caste-Based Political Action
- Before Independence:
- Justice Party and Scheduled Castes Federation fought caste discrimination.
- Poona Pact (1932) → Reserved seats for Dalits in government.
- After Independence:
- Constitutional reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs in education, jobs, and government.
- Caste-Based Parties → BSP (Dalits), SP & RJD (OBCs).
- Current Trends:
- Caste alliances → Parties forming coalitions (e.g., BJP reaching out to OBCs & Dalits).
- Changing voting patterns → Economic and governance issues influencing decisions.
Key Caste-Based Political Parties and Movements
✅ Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) → Founded by Kanshi Ram (1984), focuses on Dalit empowerment.
✅ Samajwadi Party (SP) & Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) → Represent OBCs, especially Yadavs, in Uttar Pradesh & Bihar.
✅ Dravidian Parties (DMK, AIADMK) → Anti-Brahmin movements reshaped Tamil Nadu politics.
✅ Maratha & Jat Movements → Demand OBC status for economic benefits.
Caste’s Impact on Elections
- Vote Bank Politics → Parties target caste groups for support.
- Caste Alliances → Coalitions form among upper castes, OBCs, and Dalits.
- Candidate Selection → Based on caste demographics of constituencies.
- Caste-Related Violence → Incidents like Bhagalpur Riots shape political debates.
Examples of Caste-Based Political Action
📌 BSP’s Dalit-Brahmin alliance (1990s-2000s) → Helped BSP win Uttar Pradesh elections.
📌 Mandal Commission Protests (1990s) → Led to OBC reservation expansion.
📌 Patidar (Gujarat) & Jat (Haryana) Protests → Pushed for OBC status.
📌 Dravidian Movement (Tamil Nadu) → Weakened Brahmin dominance in politics.
Conclusion
Caste remains a major factor in Indian politics, but economic and governance issues are beginning to shape new voting behaviors.
3. Intersection of Caste, Class, and Gender
What is Intersectionality?
- Intersectionality → How caste, class, gender, and religion combine to shape experiences of privilege or discrimination.
- Term by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989) → Explains why Dalit women, poor OBCs, and lower-class upper castes face different challenges.
- In India, caste + gender + class influence political participation and power.
How Caste, Class, and Gender Affect Indian Politics
- Dalit Women in Politics → Face double discrimination as Dalits and women. Movements like Phule-Ambedkarite feminism fight for their rights.
- Upper-Caste Poor vs. Elite OBCs → Some upper-caste groups struggle financially, while some OBCs/Dalits have gained political influence.
- Muslim Women’s Struggles → Religion + gender + class limit political space (e.g., triple talaq debates).
- Land Ownership & Power → Dominant castes (Jats, Marathas, Patels) control land & politics, while landless Dalits & tribals lack influence.
How Intersectionality Affects Political Representation
✅ Women’s Reservation (Panchayati Raj, 1993) → More Dalit & OBC women in politics, but “proxy politics” limits real power.
✅ SC/ST Reservations in Parliament → Helped Dalits & Adivasis enter politics, but mostly benefited wealthier Dalits (Jatavs, Mahars).
✅ OBC Politics (Mandal Commission, 1990s) → Empowered OBCs but deepened gaps between dominant OBCs (Yadavs, Kurmis) & Most Backward Classes (MBCs).
Examples of Intersectionality in Indian Politics
📌 Mayawati (Dalit, Woman, OBC Ally) → Overcame bias to become UP’s first Dalit woman CM, built Brahmin-Dalit alliances.
📌 Kanshi Ram’s Bahujan Movement → United SCs, STs, OBCs, & Muslims, showing caste-class-gender intersections.
📌 Lalu Prasad Yadav & OBC Politics → Championed Yadav-Muslim unity in Bihar but ignored lower OBCs.
📌 Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) → Helped poor, lower-caste women fight for labor rights in Gujarat.
Conclusion
Caste, class, and gender deeply influence political power in India. While reservations & social movements increased participation, elite control, economic gaps, and gender bias remain. True political equality requires stronger representation of marginalized groups.
4. Reservation and Affirmative Action Policies
Background of Reservation Policies
- Before Independence:
- Jyotirao Phule & Periyar → Fought for lower caste rights.
- B.R. Ambedkar → Advocated for Dalit rights & reservations.
- Government of India Act (1935) → Introduced reservations for Depressed Classes (Dalits).
- After Independence:
- Indian Constitution → Added reservations to correct historical injustices.
- Article 15(4) & Article 16(4) → Enable special provisions for backward classes.
- Article 46 → Directs the state to uplift SCs, STs, & weaker sections.
Main Reservation Policies in India
✅ SC/ST Reservation (1950) → 22.5% quota (15% SCs, 7.5% STs) in government jobs, education, legislatures.
✅ Mandal Commission (1990s) → 27% reservation for OBCs in education & jobs.
✅ EWS Reservation (2019) → 10% quota for poor general category individuals.
✅ Women’s Reservation in Panchayati Raj (1993) → 33% seats for women in local governance.
✅ Women’s Reservation Bill (2023) → 33% seats in Lok Sabha & State Assemblies (yet to be implemented).
Effects of Reservation Policies
📌 More Representation → SCs, STs, & OBCs now hold positions in politics, government jobs, & education.
📌 Rise of Dalit & OBC Leaders → Leaders like Mayawati, Lalu Prasad Yadav, KCR benefited from reservations.
📌 Empowerment of Marginalized Groups → Improved literacy, employment, & social status.
📌 Political Influence → Caste-based parties (BSP, SP, RJD) use reservations for electoral gains.
📌 Challenges Remain → Many tribal areas still lack proper education & job opportunities.
Critiques of Reservation Policies
❌ Merit vs. Affirmative Action → Critics argue that reservations reduce standards in jobs & education.
❌ Creamy Layer Issue → Wealthy OBCs benefit more than Most Backward Classes (MBCs).
❌ Expansion Demands → Marathas, Patidars, & Jats demand OBC status for benefits.
❌ EWS Quota Debate → Some claim it weakens caste-based reservations & mainly benefits upper castes.
❌ Reservation in Private Sector? → Ongoing debates about expanding quotas to private companies.
Future Improvements for Reservation Policies
✅ Better Targeting → Focus on poorer groups within SC, ST, OBC categories (e.g., MBCs, Pasmandas).
✅ Review OBC Lists → Ensure that truly backward groups benefit.
✅ Reservation in Promotions → Ongoing discussions on quotas in government job promotions.
✅ Expansion to Private Sector → Some advocate for job quotas in private companies.
✅ Focus on Quality Education → Instead of just increasing quotas, improve educational access.
Conclusion
Reservations have empowered marginalized communities, but better implementation & reforms are needed to ensure fairness. Balancing social justice & merit will be key for future policies. 🚀
