• Caste in politics – caste influencing voting behaviour and party strategies
• Politics in caste – political processes transforming caste identities

Electoral Politics and Caste: Early Phase

Post-Independence Period

• The Congress party dominated politics by accommodating multiple caste groups
• Upper castes held leadership positions, while lower castes were mobilised as voters
• Caste functioned more as a social reality than a political ideology

Silent Role of Caste

• Voting often followed caste loyalties
• Caste alliances were informal and localised
• National leadership avoided open caste appeals

Changing Nature of Caste in Electoral Politics

1. Rise of Democratic Politics

• Universal adult franchise empowered numerically large lower castes
• Electoral competition made caste groups politically valuable
• Caste became a resource for political bargaining

2. Political Mobilization of Backward Castes

• Implementation of Mandal Commission recommendations
• Emergence of OBC leadership
• Demand for social justice and representation

3. Emergence of Caste-Based Parties

• Formation of parties representing specific caste or social groups
• These parties articulate demands of marginalized communities
• Caste identity transformed into a tool of political empowerment

Political Mobilization of Caste Identities

Meaning

Political mobilisation of caste refers to the use of caste identity to organise people, gain political support, and influence policy decisions.

Methods of Mobilization

• Caste associations and social organisations
• Electoral alliances based on caste arithmetic
• Reservation politics and social justice narratives
• Leadership emerging from specific caste groups

Positive Outcomes

✅ Political participation of marginalized groups
✅ Breaking upper-caste monopoly over power
✅ Greater social awareness and assertion

Negative Outcomes

❌ Vote-bank politics
❌ Social polarization
❌ Fragmentation of society along caste lines

Caste and Politics: Contemporary Scenario

1. From Hierarchy to Negotiation

• Caste is no longer only ritual-based
• It functions as a negotiating identity
• Even dominant castes compete for state resources

2. Coalition Politics and Caste

• Coalition governments rely on caste-based support
• Parties build social coalitions rather than single caste bases
• Caste alliances are flexible and changing

3. Role of Development and Welfare

• Caste-based mobilisation increasingly combined with:
  • Welfare schemes
  • Development promises
  • Leadership charisma
• Identity + development politics coexist

4. Urbanization and Changing Voting Patterns

• Urban voters less tied to traditional caste loyalties
• Education and media reduce rigid caste voting
• However, caste remains influential in candidate selection

Caste in Politics vs Politics in Caste

Challenges in the Contemporary Context

• Over-politicisation of caste identities
• Marginalisation of poorest sub-castes
• Tension between caste-based justice and merit-based equality
• Threat to social harmony if identity politics dominates

Conclusion

The relationship between caste and politics in India has undergone significant transformation. From a hidden influence to an open instrument of political mobilisation, caste has become central to electoral politics. While caste-based mobilisation has enabled democratisation and inclusion, it has also created new challenges of division and vote-bank politics.
The future of Indian democracy lies in balancing social justice with inclusive development, ensuring that caste identities empower citizens without undermining national unity.

📌 UG Exam Writing Tips

• Use terms like mobilisation, representation, Mandal politics
• Write both positive and negative dimensions
• Add contemporary relevance
• End with a balanced conclusion

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