Caste Politics

Harshit Singh( 21111018)

Nidita
Radhika Aggarwal
Vedant Dwivedi
Aditya Gupta
 Defining Caste& Caste Politics
Caste is a complex social system rooted in ancient India. It
is a system of social stratification that divides people into
hereditary groups based on their occupation and social
status. Caste is determined by birth, and it is difficult to
move from one caste to another.

Caste Politics
• Caste politics is the use of caste identity to gain
political power and influence. It is a form of identity
politics that is based on the belief that caste is a
fundamental factor in Indian society.
ROLE OF CASTE POLITICS

• It has been used by both political parties and social

movements to mobilize voters and achieve their goals.
• It has a significant impact on the lives of millions of
Indians. Caste can determine a person's access to
education, employment, and other resources.
• It can also affect a person's social status and
relationships.
• Caste politics has been used to justify discrimination
and oppression against lower-caste Hindus and Dalits.
• It has also been used to mobilize lower-caste groups
and demand social and political change.
 Historical Overview Of Caste Politics
 Caste was a system of social stratification based on Determined by birth, it is
occupation and social status. difficult to move from
one caste to another.
 The caste system originated 2500 years ago and is not
prevalent only among Hindus but also among Sikhs and
Muslims. The British instituted the caste system in India for
the working of central governmental institutions, which
resulted in the control of monopoly influences by upper
castes or forward castes after the independence. Access to better
 Caste politics refers to the use of caste identity to gain
Brahmins& education and
power in the political, social, or civil arena, which eventually
Kshatriyas employment
opportunities
results in violence and riots.
 According to the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government
of India, the total population of Scheduled Castes and
Limited access to
Scheduled Tribes in India is 166,635,700 and 84,326,240, Shudras& better education
respectively. Caste identity, which had been a source of Dalits and employment
exclusion, discrimination, and social stigmatization in the opportunities
social and political context of contemporary India, is gaining
more positive meanings for socially marginalized groups as
caste capital becomes a key source for groups’ identity
politics.
 British Colonialism& Caste The British introduced
several changes that
weakened the caste system.
Introduced a new Introduced a new
system of education system of law and
that was open to all order that was not
castes based on caste.

DALITS

• The lowest-ranking group in the caste system.

• Have historically faced discrimination and exploitation from

those from higher castes.

• Often denied access to education, employment, and

social opportunities.

 However, they also perpetuated the caste system in some ways,

such as by using caste to classify people in the census and by
favouring upper-caste Indians in government jobs. This led to an
increase in resentment among the lower castes.
 Rise of Caste in Indian Independence
Movement
Caste politics played an essential
role in the Indian independence
movement. Lower-caste leaders
such as B.R. Ambedkar and E.V.
Ramasamy Naicker mobilized lower-
caste Hindus and Dalits to demand
social and political change.
B.R. Ambedkar E.V. Ramasamy Naicker

 Ambedkar was a Dalit leader who founded the Scheduled Castes Federation (SCF). The SCF was a political party
that represented the interests of Dalits. Ambedkar also played a key role in drafting the Constitution of India, which
guaranteed equal rights to all citizens, regardless of caste.

 Ramasamy Naicker was a non-Brahmin leader who founded the Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The DMK
was a political party that represented the interests of non-Brahmin Hindus in Tamil Nadu. The DMK demanded that
the caste system be abolished, and that non-Brahmin Hindus be given equal opportunities in education and
employment.
 Caste in Electoral Politics
During the 1980s and 1990s, India experienced significant societal and political shifts. The consolidation of
democratic politics at the grassroots level transformed the Indian political landscape, shifting from ideology-based
politics to representation-focused politics. This period also marked the onset of globalization, impacting not only the
economy but also culture and politics globally. In this context, Dalit groups and other marginalized communities in
various regions of India started framing caste and politics in the language of identity politics, using concepts of
equality and democratic representation.

CLIENTELISM
 In the complex tapestry of Indian politics, patron-client relationships,
intricately woven along caste lines, have been pivotal. Caste affiliations
have been serving as decisive factors in voting patterns.

 The Mandal Commission, covering over 3000 Other Backward Castes,

further blurred the lines. It complicated the traditional understanding of
which parties were associated with specific castes, introducing an element
of ambiguity.

 Integral to this political landscape was the “vote bank," a practice where
loyal voter groups staunchly supported a particular candidate or party,
expecting reciprocal benefits once their favoured candidate assumed
power. This strategy of securing a consistent voting bloc was pervasive
across the nation.

 While caste provides a foundational structure, the flexibility within these

affiliations, especially among the upper castes, showcases the complexity
 CHALLENGES
 Caste politics in India poses formidable challenges, impeding social progress and political cohesion.
Deep-seated prejudice and discrimination persist, hindering social cohesion.

 Vote bank politics deepen societal divisions, sidelining developmental issues. Meritocracy faces
scrutiny due to caste-based reservations, causing resentment.

 Political violence often erupts, destabilizing regions. Resistance to change, particularly among older
generations, hampers progress.

 Moreover, political discourse often revolves around caste identities, sidelining critical matters such as
economic development, healthcare, and education.

Caste Impeding
Reinforcing
Hierarchies Social
Inequality
Solidify Mobility

Overcoming these challenges demands a holistic approach, combining legal reforms,

education, and social awareness initiatives.
 Case Study: The Laxmanpur-Bathe
Massacre

 The Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre was one of the most horrific

massacres of Dalits in India. On December 1, 1997, armed
members of the Ranvir Sena attacked the village of Laxmanpur-
Bathe in Bihar.

 The attackers opened fire on the villagers, killing 58 people,

including 16 children and 27 women. Many of the victims were
hacked to death with axes and swords.

 The motive for the massacre is believed to have been the Ranvir
Sena's opposition to the growing influence of communist and Dalit
groups in the region. The Ranvir Sena saw these groups as a threat
to its power and influence.

 The Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre sent shockwaves through India. It

was one of the deadliest caste massacres in the country's history.
The massacre also highlighted the vulnerability of Dalit
communities to caste violence.
 Case Study: Dalit Killings
in Bihar by Ranvir Sena
 The Ranvir Sena was a private militia in Bihar, India, during the late
1990s and early 2000s. Upper-caste landowners formed the group in
response to the growing influence of communist and Dalit (formerly
untouchable) groups in the region.

 The Ranvir Sena killings were a horrific example of caste violence in

India. The group's targets were primarily Dalits but also included other
lower-caste groups and members of communist parties. The Ranvir
Sena's killings were often brutal and indiscriminate, and women and
children were not spared.

 The Ranvir Sena could operate with impunity for many years due to the
support of powerful politicians and landowners. The group was also able
to take advantage of the weak law and order situation in Bihar at the
time.

 The massacres led to widespread fear and insecurity among Dalits, and
many were forced to flee their homes. The killings also undermined the
Dalit movement in Bihar and made it difficult for Dalits to organize and
advocate for their rights.

 The Ranvir Sena killings also harmed the state of Bihar as a whole. The
massacres created a climate of fear and violence and made it difficult for
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