Negative effects of Caste on Politics
- Caste as divisive in Indian Politics: caste has often led to an unhealthy struggle for power and has fragmented the society into various caste groups.
- Increase in social and political tension: the provisions guaranteed for the protection of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes have led to dissatisfaction of the other sections of the society leading to an increase in the social and political tension.
- Regional political parties are also supporting dominant caste groups and mobilizing people along caste lines thereby hampering the spirit of harmony and solidarity of the Indian society.
- The caste factor has also affected the policies and decisions of the government. They tend to favour the dominant caste groups and make policies favouring these groups, thereby leading to the alienation of the vast majority.
- Caste politics also goes against the ideals of democracy which profess equality, and solidarity. Caste politics can also divert the attention of the government from pressing issues like poverty, development, and corruption to caste violence and tension.
Caste is constantly evolving and constantly changing its dynamism concerning Indian politics. As Sudipta Kaviraj says that there is a continuous process of churning of caste phenomenon in India. Its basis and modality of functioning are constantly changing through electoral politics, economic development, and cultural change. The Indian Constitution has taken several steps to promote equality and pursue concrete measures such as Reservation for Scheduled Castes and other welfare measures for the minority section, these measures have no doubt made some dent but the institution of caste is far from gone.
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.