NCERT · Class 10 · Social Science · Civics: Gender, Religion and CasteAnalyze the relationship between caste and politics in India. Discuss how caste inequalities have influenced political processes and how politics has also influenced caste systems.

Introduction to Caste and Politics\nUnlike gender and religion, caste division is exclusive to India. Every society has some kind of social inequality and division of labour. However, hereditary occupational division sanctioned by ritual is peculiar to the caste system in India. Over time, like other social divisions, caste has also become politicized.

Caste Inequalities and Their Impact on Politics

• Persistence of Caste: Caste system is based on exclusion of and discrimination against the 'outcaste' groups. With economic development, urbanization, and growth of literacy, the old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down to some extent. Yet, caste continues to be very much present in modern India.
• Caste in Electoral Politics: Politics too gets influenced by caste identities in many ways. When parties choose candidates in elections, they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate and choose candidates from different castes so as to muster necessary support to win elections. Political parties and candidates make appeals to caste sentiments to get votes.
• Universal Adult Franchise: Universal adult franchise and the principle of one-person-one-vote compelled political leaders to gear up to the task of mobilizing and securing political support. It also brought consciousness among people belonging to the hitherto oppressed and marginalized castes that they have power through their votes.

How Politics Influences Caste

• Politician-Caste Interaction: Politics does not simply reflect caste system; it also shapes it. Every caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating sub-castes or aligning with other castes.
• New Kinds of Caste Groups: Various caste groups enter into a coalition with other castes or communities and thus enter into dialogue and negotiation. New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political arena like 'backward' and 'forward' caste groups.
• Empowerment and Justice: While caste plays a major role in politics, caste-based politics has also helped people from marginalized communities to demand and access power, decision-making, and socio-economic justice, thus proving that caste and politics are deeply intertwined in complex ways.