State Politics in India: Caste & Indian Politics

Abstract

In Indian civilization, caste is a deeply embedded social construct. People are divided into many castes and sub-castes based on their employment, religion, and social classification based on birth. Since, India’s independence, the caste system has had a huge impact on the country’s politics, influencing voting patterns, political coalitions, and governmental initiatives. The origins of the caste system can be traced back to ancient India, known as the Varna system which provided a fundamental framework for organising society and classifying jobs across India, which eventually began to be referred to as “Jaatis.” But that is not the only classification used when it comes to the Indian caste system. The indigenous tribes of the country are also a major part of this caste system. Caste has a big influence on how people vote. Political parties frequently try to influence voters by appealing to their caste identification and making promises to stand up for their rights and support their interests. This caste-based mobilisation is a common strategy used by political parties to garner support from the masses. This kind of politics is especially the case in parts of northern India e.g., Rajasthan, U.P., Bihar, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh