Redux of Caste Politics

Redux of Caste Politics​

By: Amit Bhushan Date:28th Dec. 2017

A decent amount of efforts is being made to revive Caste based politics. The conviction of some is a precursor. The grouse seems to be low caste leaders being target of the ‘system’ and at receiving ends. And this may again have some takers. What is curious again is the argument from the side of Class struggle seems to be totally missing and therefore the article. In fact whenever a ‘man’ of little means manages to make it big, the system seems to become curious and put its full strength in ‘investigating’ the matter. It doesn’t seem to move when there are similar allegations on the rich and resourceful (and some prominent names can be recalled by the readers of this article on their own). It somehow also manages to dig out excellent ‘media bites’ although very little effective action as far as larger public interest is concerned when an otherwise poor Netas (of low resources) makes it to Riches/power. Many Netas may agree that ‘Regime changes’ too don’t seem to have made any impact in this regard. And when a rich guy or resourceful Neta becomes richer or very rich, it fails to bother if they ever repaid their bank loans and/or taxes. Now I am not here to defend corruption, but only trying to raise question that what was the system doing in the ‘meanwhile’ and why is it that wakes up so late when there is little to salvage, if at all has there been any ‘corruption’. The larger point being made here is about a lack of ‘level playing field’ and that the Netas may be ‘guilty’ of not giving the idea much thought and working on that, while in power.

The Caste-ist backlash might be a thing of the past. It mattered more on account of ‘reservations’ in its primacy when the government was a large employment generator and therefore steps taken by it mattered. It may retain its importance in Education sector though whereby some of the students may be able to get some ‘coveted low cost seats’ at the right institutes. However now government is relatively small employment generator and even the overall share of organized employment is very low to matter from a reservations perspective though some noise is being made to shore up the ‘data’ to bring in more jobs to the organized segment. The failure of the Caste-ist Netas to work on Education based empowerment of people might have harmed them more since there might be little motivation amongst ‘followers (larger swathes)’ to take up the cause. But of course the smaller Netas are a different breed and they make take it as an opportunity to conduct some rallies and tamasha, given a suitable ‘opportunity’. And as usual, the administration’ might just maintain a watch rather than put forth any views or argue about any ‘correctives’ falsely believing that things are hunky-dory thus allowing the Caste-ist backlash to fester.

The larger import of this article might be construed wrongly that is to wake up system when somebody is becomes/becoming rich either a political Neta or an entrepreneur. But it is to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to become rich and is facilitated by the system. And therefore ‘Ease of Doing business’, simpler & fair Tax regime, fairer and equal distribution of opportunities, greater empowerment of people through education/skills and easier access to information via say internet (preferably in local languages for easier understanding), encouragement for innovation/building up new entrepreneurs and facilitation of investments that can help boost employment etc. should be focus areas. Supportive policies like the domestic ‘techno-commercial standards’ and business rules, facilitation of market access with supportive trade regime and adequate policy research in this regards to evolve a long term strategy might be the need of the hour rather than adhoc-ism or protection of select interests. In fact leadership should be courageous to raise a question if fair treatment is meted out to poor Neta and the same treatment is assured to be offered to the rich & powerful within the system ‘officiated’ by them.

What is interesting is the fact, how the commercial new media behaves while singing alongside such leaders including the behavior of such leadership and some of the ideological backers some of which might have dalit background. The fact is most of the Netas rose on the ‘Total Revolution’ plank which had almost nothing to do with putting the clan members of ‘Murli Manohar’ in power but only a ‘tell all’ movement to do with Governance/Mis-rule and Anti-corruption at its heart. After acquiring ‘power’ and losing it at the center, some of these Netas were mostly confined to states and were branded as Caste-ist leaders. In fact Caste-ist lines probably even got drawn much later for these Netas when the lure of reservation was pushed/demanded as an easy way to ‘satisfy’ supporter base (otherwise many of them may not even have qualified as some other Party or Neta/s born out of struggle for aspirations of the Schedule castes to gain ‘equal’ status in society). However the lure of ‘easy’ power and money or both allowed the Netas to get themselves bandied as caste and role of the then Netas in power remains hazy including that of the commercial news media which has failed to ‘investigate’ these aspects. The tendency of ‘intellectuals’ to take on partial narratives in line with ‘season’ or to keep oneself in limelight, needs also to be spoken about.

What is interesting about the commercial news media is its tendency to put almost all other issues on the agenda platter except for actual governance, which is left to the ‘discretion’ of the power holders. It therefore behooves on the power holder to depict maturity and focus on governance. Now for most occasions there was no ‘loss of power’ on account of mis-governance or lack of focus, however that seems to ‘changed’ on account of social media and technology including ability of ordinary voters to be able to ‘comment’. Then of course pulls and pressures always remain on government which kind of forces it to take some other issues which may not direct governance or more particularly economic governance but might be social (like triple talaq) or cultural (like Jallikattu) etc. There may be also be some simmering ‘issues’ that are left unattended like ‘ground water’ and some that rise up in urgency due to neglect or lack of planning like ‘city pollution’. What is definitely an improvement in commercial news media is that on occasions it seems to have started responding to its criticism in these articles and some of them are exploring the truth behind ‘Freer movement Cargo on account of GST’, ‘reality behide drive towards Cash-less’, ‘poor state of educational institutes and health-care centers’ etc. It is another matter that the Netas in State or Central legislature don’t seem to be taking up these matters and seem to be over-relying on Anna Hazare in all probability to ‘deliver it to them’ without having to ‘invest any political capital’. Therefore for the Netas in governance what might be important is position themselves as ‘Choice for Natural Governance’ and this may require efforts from the Netas in ‘states’ since it is performance by each state rather than just the Center. This is because it is ‘state Neta’ which is much closer to people and more direct delivery like ration, sanitation, roads, electricity, water(potable), irrigation and the tendency for ‘stupid ideas’ being progressed instead of ‘governance’ tends to now ‘channelize votes’ in a much more streamlined manner since ‘arguments are much stronger’ and the traverse of these ideas much faster. Let’s see the ‘Game’ evolve…..

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

The term "Redux of Caste Politics" refers to the resurgence or reemergence of caste as a significant factor in political discourse and decision-making, particularly in countries like India where the caste system has historically played a profound role in social and political structures. Despite efforts to eradicate caste-based discrimination and promote equality, the caste system continues to influence political dynamics, often in subtle and complex ways. In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift back towards caste-based alliances and identities, driven by both traditional and modern factors. This phenomenon is not merely a return to the past but a new iteration that intertwines with contemporary issues such as economic development, social media, and urbanization.

One of the key drivers of this redux is the increasing use of social media platforms by political parties and leaders to mobilize caste-based support. These platforms enable rapid dissemination of messages that appeal to specific caste groups, often emphasizing historical grievances and the need for solidarity. As a result, caste-based identities are reinforced and can override other forms of political engagement, such as ideological affiliations. This has led to the formation of caste-based interest groups that actively participate in elections and policy advocacy, sometimes at the expense of broader national or regional issues.

Economic development and urbanization have also played a role in the resurgence of caste politics. While these processes have created new opportunities and social mobility, they have also intensified competition for resources and political power. Caste-based networks and organizations have become crucial for accessing these opportunities, leading to a situation where caste identity is not only a social marker but a strategic asset in the political and economic spheres. This is particularly evident in the distribution of government jobs, educational quotas, and other forms of affirmative action, which are often seen as zero-sum games where one caste's gain is perceived as another's loss.

Moreover, the political landscape in India has evolved to include a more diverse set of political parties, each with its own caste-based support base. This fragmentation has made it increasingly difficult for national parties to form majorities without forming alliances with smaller, caste-based parties. As a result, caste has become a central organizing principle in coalition politics, with parties often prioritizing the interests of their core caste constituencies over broader policy goals.

The redux of caste politics also reflects a broader societal struggle between traditional values and modern aspirations. While younger generations may be more open to breaking down caste barriers, older generations and rural communities still hold onto traditional caste hierarchies and practices. This tension is evident in the ongoing debates about caste-based reservations and the implementation of anti-discrimination laws. The challenge for policymakers and political leaders is to navigate this complex terrain, balancing the need to address historical injustices with the goal of fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

In conclusion, the redux of caste politics is a multifaceted phenomenon that cannot be understood in isolation from the broader social, economic, and technological changes occurring in India. While it poses challenges to the country's democratic and egalitarian aspirations, it also highlights the resilience and adaptability of caste as a social construct. Addressing this issue will require a nuanced approach that combines legal reforms, social education, and economic policies aimed at reducing inequality and promoting social cohesion.