Positive effects of Caste on Politics
- Caste Solidarity: In the last hundred years there has been an increase in the feeling of caste solidarity. The educated leaders have collected funds to help the poorer members of the caste, organized caste conferences, built caste hostels, hospitals, cooperative societies. GS Ghurye had argued as early as 1932 that the attack on caste hierarchy is not the end of caste in India it has, in turn, generated a new sentiment of ‘caste solidarity’ which can be described as caste patriotism.
- Caste Groups and Alliances: The British government gave a considerable concession to the people of backward classes in India under their rule. To take advantage of these opportunities, the traditional caste groups made alliances with each other thus forming bigger entities. This laid the foundation of caste groups and alliances which continue to mobilize and consolidate people of the same caste even today.
- Caste and Empowerment of the Disadvantaged: It has given people of the disadvantaged community to demand their fair share of power. Caste politics has given people from Dalit and Backward Castes to gain better access to decision-making. Caste solidarity has turned into their safety net guaranteeing them better representation.
- Caste as a Cohesive force in Indian Politics: it is a source of unity among the members of the group and acts as a cohesive force.
- The prevalence of caste politics in India has led to the enactment of legislation to protect the rights of the disadvantaged and marginalized. For instance: Protection of Civil Rights Act 1976.
- The caste-based political parties are also solving the problems of the people belonging to the lower castes thereby mobilizing them and making them politically aware.
- Caste associations have also played a role in spreading the culture of democratic politics in areas that were previously governed by tradition.
- The caste associations also act as pressure groups that reinforce the views of the people belonging to the lower caste thereby giving them their due representation in the political arena.
Role of Caste in Indian Politics
Caste is a social category set out in a hierarchical order; it has derived its legitimacy from classical Hindu scriptures. Caste originated initially as ‘varna’, which divided the society into four occupational categories. Caste is the epitome of traditional society, a closed system where generation after generation of individuals did the same work and lived the same life.
Table of Content
- Role of Caste in Society
- Positive effects of Caste on Politics
- Negative effects of Caste on Politics
Caste as an institution is embedded in Indian society, it has changed and moulded itself to fit in the modern democratic politics. Caste and casteism that accompanied caste have never disappeared in India. As Rajni Kothari has effectively pointed out the politicization of caste in India has shaped the nature of Indian politics to a great extent. He proved that the politicization of caste is a two-way process. Caste needs politics as much as politics need caste.
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