INTRODUCTION

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
analyze the role caste in Indian politics and how it becomes a major
cause of serious concern and become an obstacle to the national
integration. This paper concludes with a suggestion to overcome
these challenges.

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. Those of the lowest
caste are informed that their place in the caste hierarchy is due to
their sins in their past life. Vigorous punishments of torture and
death are designed for crimes like getting literacy or insulting a
member of a dominant caste. Manusmitri, the most reliable text of
Hindu religion legitimizes social exclusion and introduces absolute
inequality as the guiding rule of social affairs. Caste still very much
matters to Indian citizens even in the modern world, though one
must point out that different groups of citizens have different
reasons for maintaining the system of caste. The upper castes want
to keep caste alive to oppress the lower castes thereby maintaining
their domination. It is very often to see that the lower caste groups,
who are supposed to hate the caste system, also use their caste
identity to gain benefits in the corridors of power and politics and, at
the same time, they want to put a stop to the caste oppression
imposed upon them by the upper castes. It is an ironical and
interesting situation of Indian society in modern India. In fact, it was
intended to show that the four classes were in relation to social
organization in the same relation as the different organs of
Primordial Man to his body. Together they had to function to give
vitality to the body politic but the caste system has grown to the
level of retarding the growth of an individual in the name of caste
and thereby affecting the fundamental rights of an individual to live
or to grow, which is the essence of democracy. Indian politics is
largely shaped by the cultural varieties, social, ethnic, caste,
community and religious pluralism, the known tradition of the
countrywide movement with the contrasting style of party
leadership and unique contrasting ideological perspective. For
majority of the scholars of politics, namely Myron Weiner India is
perhaps the most important of all the newer countries of the so-
called “third world” and in view of its long and composite past, its
vast population and its present position, the special value of such a
country can be generally identified without doing an injustice to any
other country. In every developing political system, two types of
politics can be pointed out, the politics of ideology and the polities of
action. An analysis of the reciprocal action between the two can
throw up some of the most important strands of the essence and
direction of political change occurring in such a system. During Vedic
period, the system of Varna became the foundation of social
stratification and according to this system, there were namely four
Varnas like Brahmin, Kshatriya, Baishya, and Sudra where each were
assigned with a specific role. However, with the progress of time, the
caste system came to the in endowment status, which got resolved
by birth and as a result, it has now become a divisive factor in our
Indian society today.

ROLE OF CASTE IN INDIAN POLITICS

The role of caste in Indian Politics can be specially discussed as
below:

Caste factor in political socialization and leadership recruitment:

Different caste groups 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 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: Caste factor is a component of the

Indian party system. In India, there are so many caste-based political
parties which 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. non-jats. 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 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 candidate 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 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 unifying forces. It is the only social group they
understand. Existence of caste groups also leads to factionalism.
Caste as such is a factor in Indian politics and it acts as 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 re-organization 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 of the 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 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 the Indian society and have created so many social and
political tensions. The 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. In 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 particular caste
put pressure on the prime minister and chief minister to give
representation to their caste.

CASTE AND INDIAN CONSTITUTION:

1. Acts &Constitutional Provisions for a Casteless Society:

India has one of the best constitutions, but it is rarely fully

implemented. The below provisions are the results of the sincere
efforts taken by the Great Indians.

• Protection of Civil Rights Act-1976

• Prevention of atrocities against SC &ST‘s Act -1989

2. Fundamental Rights – First Right is the Right to Equality:

• Article 14 – Equality before the law.

• Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination on the basis of religion,

race, caste, gender, and colour.

• Article 16 – Equal opportunities in public employment.

• Article 17 – Abolition of untouchability.

• Article 18 – Abolition of titles.

3. Fundamental Duty: 51A- (e), to promote harmony and the spirit
of common brotherhood among all the citizens of India
irrespective of religion, linguistic and regional or sectional
diversities and to renounce practices of defamatory to the dignity
of women.

1. Directive Principles of State Policy

• Article 38 – To promote the welfare of the people by securing a

social order permeated by justice – social, economic and political –
and to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and
opportunities.

• Article 46 –To promote the educational and economic interests of

SCs, STs and other weaker sections of the society and to save them
from social injustice and exploitation.

• Article 330 – Reservation of seats in Lok Sabha for SC and ST‘s.

• Article 332 – Reservation of Seats in State Assembly for SC and ST‘s.

Measures to be taken: The caste system cannot be eliminated
without changing the mind-set of the people. The problem has
persisted largely because of the illiteracy and ignorance of the
people. Hence they do not accept any social change.

The following points need to be looked for neutralizing the role of

caste in Politics:

1. The basis of the reservation should be economic not caste so that

all the poor section of society are benefitted to it.

2. Media should play a neutral role.

3. Caste-based violence must be eliminated through well-organized

efforts.
4. The recognition of caste-based political parties should be
withdrawn.

5. The politician should rise above the politics of caste.

6. The education system should be remodelled on secular lines.

7. All schools must encourage community living by organizing

community meals and all students should be included in it.

8. School textbooks should be carefully revised. The study material

should teach the students that the caste system is made by man.

9. By promoting Inter-caste Marriage and by providing special offers

for people whom do inter-caste marriage can bring changes in the
next generation people.

CONCLUSION
Lastly concluding, 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 the
marginalized communities. People want development and want their
voices to listen. The political leaders will have to democratize
themselves and try their best to fulfil the basic needs of the common
man American political experts I. Rudolf and S.H. Rudolf in their book
“Modernity of9Tradition” hold the view that caste politics in India
has reduced the divergence among caste and has brought about
political non-discrimination among the members of different castes.
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 system are just and equal to all groups,
regions, and communities.

QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Do you think the existing government is going in the right
direction to benefit the people of the country?
 Yes
 No
2. Do you think there should be stricter rules and regulations on
the use of money in political campaigns?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t know
3. How do you describe yourself as?
 Democrat
 Independent
 Republican
 Something else
 Don’t know
4. Corporations should not be allowed to interfere in political
campaigns
  Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
 Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree
5. There should be policies to resolve the gap between the rich and
the poor.
 Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
 Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree
6. There should be more strict laws and regulations towards caste
system
 Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
 Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree
7. There should be rules to include all religions and castes in all
political parties
 Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
 Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree
8. The government is liable to be transparent about all initiatives to
the public
 Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
  Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree
9. There is relationship between caste and politics
 Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
 Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree
10. The government should take action against democracy and
casteism
 Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
 Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree
11. The government should conduct campaigns to resolve caste
issues in politics
 Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
 Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree
12. Environment safety is more important than castiesm and
democracy
 Completely agree
 Somewhat agree
 Neutral
 Somewhat disagree
 Completely disagree