Though the framers of the
Indian Constitution adopted a document which is weeded (set up) to the ideals
of Democracy and Social justice and aim to establish a Casteless and a
Classless Society in the country, Caste continues to be an important factor in
Indian Politics. No doubt that at the National Level Caste does not play that
effective role as it plays at the local level. Further even at the state level
its impact differs from State to State. According to Michael Brecher caste play
a major role in state and local politics but it is marginal at All-Indian
level. Though no state of the Indian Union has been immune from the impact of
the caste politics; it has been more in Bihar, Kerala, Madras, Andhra pradesh, and
Maharashtra (Marathas-25%, Brahmans, Mahars-untouchables).
Before examining the role of the
Caste in Indian Politics it is desirable to know its meaning. The term Caste
has been derived from the Spanish and Portuguese term ‘Casta’ which means
Lineage (race), Breed (kind). The oxford dictionary meaning of the term caste
is ‘each of the hereditary classes of the Hindu Society’. The Indian equivalent
of the term Caste is Jat or jati which has been derived from the Sanskrit and
means Race.
Prof. Blunt defines Caste as
“Endogamous group or collection of endogamous groups, bearing a general name,
membership of which is genetic, imposing on its members certain restrictions in
matter of social contact, either following a common traditional profession or
claming a common origin, and generally
regarded as forming a single homogeneous community.”
Prof. Fairchild defines it as
“homogenous, endogamous, social organization with distinctive rituals,
especially those pertaining to religious purity. Each caste and sub-caste is
given an official status, rating high or low according to the date of its
origin, its supposed one time occupation and the strictness of its mortals and
religious codes.”
According to Cooley, “when a
class is somewhat hereditary we call it caste” However, this traditional
conception of caste as a segmental division of society, in which an individual
can live his live fully, has now undergone a serious transformation. At present the service status and the
financial position of a person assign him a very respectable position
irrespective of his caste attachment. As a result in the more advanced section
of our society the caste barriers are getting weaker day by day.
The first set-back was
suffered by caste system under the British rule due to introduction of new
means of transport and communication as well as the introduction of western
laws (and norms of rule of law). The western education further weakened the
caste nation. However, the Britishers relishing the important role of caste
gave a new lease of life to this system by adopting the principle of ‘divide’
and ‘rule’.
In the post-Independence
period the constitution as well as the government tried to discourage
caste-system, but it has not cease to play an effective role in the body
politics of the country.
ROLE OF CASTE IN INDIAN
POLITICS
The social structure of India
to a large extent is based on the caste and caste identities. Due to the
western education the caste bonds began to weaken in India. Rapid means of
transport and communication brought the different parts of the country (India) into contact with each other. Later on the British
discovered that one caste could be played against another. (Therefore they
followed the policy of divide and rule and set one caste against the other).
Although the Indian
constitution abolishes caste system but all political parties tries to use
caste for political purpose. As the narrow sectional loyalties (caste-system)
had done much harm to the country (during British Rule); therefore the Indian
National Congress decided to do away (check) with the caste-system in India
when the constitution was being frame. The untouchability system was abolished
in all shapes and forms. Separates Electorates was abolished and the Indian
constitution was based on justice, equality, liberty and fraternity. In short,
it did everything within its power to discourage the politics of caste. The
constitution, however, made special reservations and safeguard for certain
caste and classes. (It has also made provision for the appointment of Special
officer for S.C and S.T to investigate in the matters relating to the various
safeguards provided to them under the constitution) Though these safeguards
were made for a certain period only in order to enable them to raise to a
higher standard but they continued to be extended. (As no political parties
wanted to lose their support, whose numerical strength is very large)
Therefore, the caste has penetrated deep into the Indian society.
Prof. M.N. Srinivas, an
eminent sociologist, rightly points out that “There is a wide spread impression
among educated Indians that caste is on its last legs and that the educated
urbanized and westernized members of the upper classes have already escaped its
bond. Both these impressions are wrong. These people may observe very few
dietic restrictions, marry outside caste and even religions but this does not
mean that they have escaped the bones of caste entirely. They show caste
attitude in surprising context”
Similarly, prof. Rudolphs says:
“within the new context of political democracy caste remains a central element of
India’s society even while adopting itself to the values and methods of
democratic politics. Indeed it has become one of the chief means by which the
Indian mass has been attached to the process of democratic politics.”
Is well-known that the basis
of electoral politics is manipulation of votes. Soon every party began to vie
(compete) with one another to get maximum votes in the election and capture
power. Therefore, the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes whose status in the
society hierarchy was very low, become conscious of their tremendous strength.
Every party wanted to ride to power by getting
their votes. Even while distributing the tickets and formation of ministers,
caste considerations were given the uppermost consideration. Generally, the
party ticket was given to that candidate whose caste was dominant. When two or
more candidates belong to the same caste, then only the voters do not succumb
(give way) to this temptation .They then vote on the basis of the party or the
nearness to the candidates. This clearly shows that caste in modern India is
still playing a dominant role. Therefore, prof. Srinivas has correctly said
that the caste “is so tacitly and so completely accepted by all, including most
vocal elements in condemning it, that it is everywhere the unit of social
action.”
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