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© 2022 IJNRD | Volume 7, Issue 12 December 2022 | ISSN: 2456-4184 | IJNRD.
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ROLE OF CASTE IN INDIAN POLITICS

Dr Vijay M. Gawande
Assistant professor,Department of Political Science
Smt Savitabai U. Deshmukh College, Digras Dist- Yavatmal India
Abstract : The caste system is a predominant aspect of the social and political structure in India. Caste is the most ancient feature of
Indian social system and it is a major factor in the structures and functions of the Indian political system. The word ‘caste’ is derived
from the Spanish word ‘caste’ which means race. People born in particular race have their separate caste. It defines all social, economic
and political relationships for the individual. Caste is a notable foundation of social stratification in India. Indian politics is caste-
ridden politics. Caste determines the nature, organization, and working of political parties, interest groups, and all political structures
and their functions. Indian society has been highly segmented along the lines of castes, religion, class, etc it eventually prevents the
true working of Parliamentary democracy. The basic objective of this paper is to analyse the role caste in Indian politics and how it
becomes a major cause of serious concern and become an obstacle to the national integration.
Key words: Caste, Class, Politics, Party, Society.
I. Introduction
In contemporary Indian scenario, caste mobilisation has become an important factor in determining Indian politics.
According to Risley Caste, is a collection of families bearing a common name, claiming a common descent from a mythical ancestor,
divine or human and professing to follow same hereditary calling and regarded by those who are competent to give an opinion as
forming a single homogenous community. It is described caste as localized group having a traditional association based on one's
birth in a caste, though at times associated with particular occupation (N.D. Arora, 2010). Caste, through a joint effort of its members
to assert themselves, has presently intervened in both politics and administration mainly through franchise and institutions like
Panchayati Raj. Whether it is the factionalism of Indian political parties or the nomination of candidates and the mode of election
campaign, most things can be explained through caste interests and caste balance.
The caste system, which is based on the philosophies of purity and pollution, hierarchy and difference, has despite social
mobility, been overbearing towards the Shudras and the outcastes who suffered the disgrace of ritual impurity and lived in abject
poverty, illiteracy and denial of political power. The basis of confrontational identity politics based on caste may be said to have its
origin on the issue of providing the oppressed caste groups with state support in the form of protective discrimination. This group
identity based on caste that has been reinforced by the advent of political consciousness around caste identities is institutionalised
by the caste-based political parties that acknowledge to uphold and protect the interests of specific identities including the castes.
Subsequently, political parties have the upper caste dominated BJP, the lower caste dominated BSP (Bhaujan Samaj Party) or the
SP (Samajwadi Party), including the fact that left parties have implicitly followed the caste pattern to extract distance in electoral
politics. The Aggregate result of the politicisation can be precised by arguing that caste-based identity politics has had a twin role in
Indian society and polity. It comparatively democratised the caste-based Indian society but simultaneously destabilised the
development of class-based organisations.
Historical data indicated that Caste-based discrimination and domination have been a malicious aspect of Indian society and
after independence, its implications with politics have not only made it possible for previously oppressed caste-groups to be accorded
political freedom and recognition but has also raised consciousness about its potential as a political capital. In fact, Dipankar Gupta
has emotionally exposed this ambiguity when he elaborates the differences between Ambedkar and Mandal Commission's view of
caste. While the former designed the policy of reservations or protective discrimination to remove untouchability as an institution
from Indian social life and polity, the latter considered caste as an important political resource. Actually, the Mandal commission
can be regarded as the intellectual inspiration in transforming caste based identity to an asset that may be used as a basis for
safeguarding political and economic gains. Though it can also be said that the upper castes by virtue of their major position were
already occupying positions of strengths in the political and economic system, and when the Mandal intensified the consciousness
of the 'Dalits' by recognising their disadvantage of caste-identity as an advantage the confrontation ensues.
II. Objective
 To what extent and in what ways caste influences politics;
 Interrelationship between caste and politics; and
 How politics influences caste.
The role of caste in the Indian political system can be specifically discussed as under:
(1) Caste Factor in Political Socialisation and Leadership Recruitment:
Different caste groups have their loyalties behind different 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
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© 2022 IJNRD | Volume 7, Issue 12 December 2022 | ISSN: 2456-4184 | IJNRD.ORG
Castes or to Scheduled Castes. In the process of picking up his political orientations, attitude and beliefs, he naturally comes
under the influence of caste groups and casteism. ‘Caste values’ and caste interests influence his socialisation and
consequently his political thinking, awareness and participation. He banks upon caste solidarity for occupying and
performing a leadership role. Caste influences the process of leadership recruitment. This is particularly true of highly ‘caste
conscious’ people of some states like Haryana, Bihar, UP, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In Haryana, the leadership
comes either from the Jats or from the Bishnois or Brahmins. In Andhra Pradesh, the Reddys, Kammas and Valamas provide
state leaders.
(2) Caste and Party Politics:
Caste factor is a constituent of the Indian party system. Some political parties have a direct caste basis while others indirectly
bank upon particular caste groups. In particular, the regional political parties stand predominantly influenced by the caste
factor. The DMK and AIADMK are non-Brahmin rather anti-Brahmin political parties of Tamil Nadu. In Punjab, Akali
Dal has a community panthic identity but stands influenced by the issue of Jats vs. non-Jats. All political parties in India
use caste as a means for securing votes in elections. While the BSP banks upon the support of the Scheduled Castes, the
BJP largely banks upon its popularity among the high caste Hindus and the trading community. In fact, while formulating
its policies and decisions each political party of India in India almost always keeps in vision the ‘Caste Angle’.
(3) Caste and Elections:
The caste factor is an important factor of electoral politics in India. All political parties give great weightage to the caste
factor in selecting their candidates, in allocating constituencies to their candidates and in canvassing support for their
nominees in the election. In constituencies predominated by Muslims, Muslim candidates are fielded and in areas
predominated by Jats, Jat candidates are fielded. Even avowedly secularist parties like the Congress, the Janata Dal, the
CPI and the CPM take into consideration the caste factor in selecting their candidates. In the election campaigns, votes are
demanded in the name of caste. Caste groups are tapped for committed support. No one can disagree with N.D. Palmer
when he observes that “Caste considerations are given great weight in the selection of candidates and in the appeals to
voters during election campaigns.” In elections, caste acts as the most important political party.
(4) Caste as a Divisive and Cohesive Factor of Indian Politics:
Caste acts both as a divisive and cohesive force in Indian politics. It provides a basis for the emergence of several interest
groups in the Indian system each of which competes with every other group in the struggle for power. At times it leads to
unhealthy struggle for power and acts as a divisive force. However, it is a source of unity among the members of various
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 force. It is the only social group they understand. However, the existence of two or three
big caste groups also leads to factionalism. Caste as such is a strong factor in Indian politics and it acts as a cohesive as
well as a divisive factor.
III. Conclusion
In the end of this research paper we can say that caste is very deep rooted in Indian social structure and played a major role
in politics. From party formation to decision making, it becomes very important. After the introduction of Adult Franchise,
every vote becomes very important and each party tried to influence more and more voters. Now a day’s caste become
more important for politics and politics also becomes more important for caste. Sometime political parties increase this
caste system by using caste based slogans and other thing. It destroyed the social harmony and created violence in society.
To the development of society it is very important to remove casteism. Government should try to remove this evil
completely. All political parties should also try to maintain social harmony. It is very important for the development of
world biggest democracy.
References
Ms. Deepika Gahatraj : Module: Vi, Regionalism: Caste And Linguistic Politics Subject: Political Science V.
Prof.Yamuna .A.Konesar : “Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics’’ 2018 IJCRT | Volume 6, Issue 2 May 2018
| ISSN: 2320-288.
Hardeep Kaur : ROLE OF CASTE IN INDIAN POLITICS ISSN (PRINT): 2393-8374, (ONLINE): 2394-0697,
VOLUME-5, ISSUE-1, 2018.
Caste, Class And Politics In India Content Digitized by eGyanKosh, IGNOU.
Neelam Devi*, Role of Caste in Indian Politics in Journal of Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education |
Multidisciplinary Academic Research.
Srinivas, M.N. (1962). Caste In Modern India: And Other Essays, Asia Publishing House, BombayKothari, Rajni (1970).
Politics in India, Boston, Little Brown.
THE YALE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW : Vol. 35
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© 2022 IJNRD | Volume 7, Issue 12 December 2022 | ISSN: 2456-4184 | IJNRD.

ROLE OF CASTE IN INDIAN POLITICS

Key words: Caste, Class, Politics, Party, Society.

IJNRD2212265 International Journal of Novel Research and Development (www.ijnrd.org) c523

IJNRD2212265 International Journal of Novel Research and Development (www.ijnrd.org) c524

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