THE ROLE OF CASTE IN INDIA’S POLITICAL LIFE
Caste in Indian society refers to a social group in which affiliation is largely determined by birth. This caste system became fixed and hereditary with the rise of Hinduism. The Laws of Manu (Manusmitri) refer to the impurity and servility of the outcastes while affirming the dominance and total impunity of upper castes.
India is not a homogeneous society with the equal and just distribution of resources and opportunities for all of its citizens, without ethnic, religious, gender, and caste biases. People of different castes behave differently, depending on their numerical strength, regions of locations, socio-economic background, level of social mobility, and their position in the hierarchy of the caste system. In general, caste-based political behaviour is more conspicuous at the local level.
Caste has influenced the policy-making of the government, for example, the policy of reservation in favour of certain castes. The programmes, policies and declarations of political parties are made, keeping in view the caste factor. Even different positions within a political party are distributed in terms of caste configurations. Caste plays a very important role in elections and voting. Political parties select their candidates on the basis of caste composition in the constituency. The voting in elections and mobilization of political support from top to bottom moves on the caste lines. The caste factor also influences the formation of the council of ministers and making appointments to various political positions in the government. Caste also functions, as a pressure group in politics. Political bargaining is also done on the caste lines. Caste organizations have emerged to organize caste members for collective bargaining with each other. The administration has not escaped the influence of the caste in India. The postings, transfers and appointments of public officials are influenced by caste considerations. Even the behaviour of public officials in carrying out administrative duties gets influenced by caste considerations. The political leadership in many political parties emerges and survives in politics on the basis of the support of certain caste groups. There are many political experts who consider the increasing influence of caste in politics as a negative tendency, not helpful in the development of democracy
The role of caste in Indian Politics can be specially discussed as below:
Caste factor in political socialization and leadership recruitment:
Different caste groups have their loyalties behind political parties and their ideologies. Right from his birth an Indian citizen inherits a caste and grows up as a member of a particular caste group. He belongs either to one of the high castes or to scheduled castes. In the process of picking up his political orientations, attitudes, and beliefs, he naturally comes under the influence of caste groups and casteism. Caste values and caste interests influence their socialization and consequently their political thinking, conscience, and participation. He bets on caste solidarity to occupy and play a leadership recruiting role. Caste Influences Leadership Recruitment Process. This is particularly true of caste conscious people of States like Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh Reddys, Karmas and Valamas, provide state leaders.
Caste based political parties:
The caste factor is a component of the Indian party system. In India, there are so many caste-based political parties that try to promote and protect the interest of a particular caste. The regional political parties, in particular, stand predominantly influenced by the caste factor. DMK and AIADMK are non-Brahmin and non-Brahmin political parties from Tamil Nadu. In Punjab, Akali Dal has a community identity. It stands influenced by the issue of jats vs. nonjats. All political parties in India use caste as a means for securing votes in elections. BSP banks upon the support of Scheduled Castes while the BJP largely banks upon its popularity among caste Hindu and the trading community.
Caste based pressure groups:
There are so many caste based pressure groups in India which try to promote and protect the interest of a particular caste and for this purpose, they keep putting pressure on governments the pressure groups like scheduled caste federation, Arya Samaj Sabha, Sanatan Dharam Sabha etc, are such pressure groups Who work for the protection of the interests of a particular community.
Caste and nomination of candidates:
The caste factor is an important determinant of electoral politics in India. While nominating their candidates from different constituencies the political parties keep in mind the cast of candidates and cast of the voters in that particular constituency. As a result of this candidate is sure to get the votes of voters of his caste. In electoral constituencies dominated by Muslims, Muslim candidates are deployed and in areas dominated by Jats, Jat candidates are deployed. Even secularist parties like Congress, Janata Dal, CPI, and CPM take into consideration caste fact in selecting their candidates.
Caste and voting behaviour:
In the election campaigns, votes are demanded in the names of caste. Caste groups are tapped for committed support N.D. Palmer has rightly observed that Caste considerations are given great weight in the selection of candidates and in the appeals to voters during election campaigns. In elections, caste is the most important political party. The Candidates asked for votes in the name of caste and they raise the caste-based slogan like “jat ki beti jat ko, jat ki vote jat ko”. Such slogans do have an effect on voters and they cast their vote in favour of the candidate belonging to their caste.
Caste as a divisive and cohesive force in Indian Politics:
Caste acts as a dividing and cohesive force in Indian politics It provides a basis for the emergence of several interest groups in the Indian Political System each of which competes with all other groups in the struggle for power. At times it leads to an unhealthy struggle for power and acts as a divisive force however, it is a source of unity among the members of groups and acts as a cohesive force. In rural India, where the social universe of the rural power is limited to an area of 15 to 20 km, caste acts as a unifying forces. It is the only social group they understand. The existence of caste groups also leads to factionalism. Caste as such is a factor in Indian politics and it acts as a cohesive as well as a divisive factor.
Caste and organization of government:
As caste is an important characteristic of Indian society and acts as a dominant factor in various political processes, it also plays a key role in decision making. Even the issue of reorganization of State was handled with an eye upon the prevention of undue predominance of a caste group in a particular territory. The caste factor affects state government policies and decisions. The ruling party tries to use its decision-making power to win the favour of major caste groups. Congress has always tried to nurture people belonging to Scheduled Castes as its vote banks. Regional political power for furthering the interests of the caste groups which support or can support their regimes. The constitution of India provides for a single unified electorate and advocates the spirit of caste free politics and administration. However, the caste factor always acts as a determinant of people’s voting behaviour, their political participation, the party structure and even governmental decision-making.
Caste factor and local governments:
The role of caste in the working of Panchayati Raj and other institutions of local self government has been recognized as reality. Caste-based factionalism in rural areas of India has been the most major hindering factor in the organization and effective working of Panchayati Raj. In the rural Indian context, the caste was a mobilization of the communication channel, representation, and leadership and a link between the electoral process and the political process.
Caste violence:
Caste-based violence often finds its way into politics. The traditional differences between higher and lower castes become vigorous and have turned into a violent and fierce struggle for power in society. The growing terrorization of the lower castes by the higher or even intermediary castes has been becoming a part of rural India’s political reality. In states like Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat and U.P caste violence has raised its head even in some urban areas. However, until today most of the caste based violence continues to characterize rural politics.
The demand for reservation by other communities:
The provisions of the reservation made in the constitution have proved counterproductive also as the non-scheduled castes have also started putting pressure on the government to make provisions of reservation for them.
Social and political tensions:
The provisions made for the protection of interests of scheduled castes have also disturbed the social harmony in Indian society and have created so many social and political tensions. Society has got divided into lower caste and higher caste.
Caste and civil administration:
The bureaucracy also gets influenced by the caste as mostly, the postings, transfers, and appointments of public officials get influenced by the caste considerations. These days the interest of a particular caste are kept in mind while running the administration.
Caste and formation of a council of ministers:
While constituting the council of ministers prime minister and chief minister have to give representation to the members belonging to different castes in their state and in case they do not do so, the supporters of a particular caste put pressure on the prime minister and chief minister to give representation to their caste.
There is a close relationship between caste and politics in India and both influence each other. Caste is an important component of the social system in India has made its special place in the Indian political system at various levels. Casteism is the biggest challenge for Indian democracy. Democracy and Casteism are opposed to each other. India has adopted the liberal democratic system, which is mainly based on equality, freedom, and justice. Caste stands for inequality based on birth. Caste loyalties other ethnic factors really divide the Indian political parties and but not the ideological differences. Election campaigns are conducted along caste lines and violence in polls is usually caste-based violence. Politics has become caste-ridden and castes have got politicized. Caste groups use politics as the means to secure their benefits. The democratization process will bring new leaders from marginalized communities. People want development and want their voices to listen. On the other hand, the ruling national elites, although they belonged to the upper “dwija” castes, had become detached from their traditional ritual status and functions. They had acquired new interests in the changed (planned) economy and lifestyles which came through modern education, non-traditional occupations, and a degree of westernization which accompanied this process. Our education system must inculcate the values of equality and fraternal bonds among all the citizens. It is essential for nation-building. The government should ensure that the operation of political practices and systems are just and equal to all groups, regions, and communities.
__________________________________________________________________________
Analysis on the Role of Caste in Indian Politics ~ Link
Caste System in India and its Impact on Politics ~ Link
Role of Caste in Indian Politics ~ Link
Post a Comment