3.2.2. Caste in politics

As in the case of communalism, casteism is rooted in the belief that caste is the sole basis of social community. According to this way of thinking, people belonging to the same caste belong to a natural social community and have the same interests which they do not share with anyone from another caste. As we saw in the case of communalism, such a belief is not borne out by our experience. Caste is one aspect of our experience but it is not the only relevant or the most important aspect.

Casteism means seeing one's caste as the only identity that matters. It assumes that people from the same caste have the same interests and form a social community. This is a limited view because individuals have diverse identities and interests beyond just their caste.

Imagine a school where students are grouped only by their last names and assumed to share the same interests, ignoring their diverse hobbies, talents, and friendships. This would be an oversimplification, much like how casteism fails to recognize the complexity of human identities.

Caste can take various forms in politics: When parties choose candidates in elections, they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate and nominate candidates from different castes so as to muster necessary support to win elections. When governments are formed, political parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it.

Political parties consider caste demographics when selecting candidates for elections. They aim to include representatives from various caste groups to gain broader support from different communities, recognizing the importance of caste in the voting process.

Think of a community festival where many different cultural groups come together. Organizers would likely feature performers and food from various backgrounds to ensure everyone feels included and valued, similar to how political parties aim to reflect the population's diversity through caste representation.

Political parties and candidates in elections make appeals to caste sentiment to muster support. Some political parties are known to favour some castes and are seen as their representatives.

Candidates often use language and promises that resonate with specific caste groups, tapping into their sentiments to win votes. Some parties are perceived as champions of particular castes, strengthening their support base within those communities.

Consider a sports team that focuses its strategies on its star players, knowing that these players resonate with fans who idolize them. Similarly, political candidates may focus on a particular caste to attract votes and support.

No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one single caste. So, every candidate and party needs to win the confidence of more than one caste and community to win elections. No party wins the votes of all the voters of a caste or community.

In elections, no single caste dominates a constituency, forcing candidates to appeal to a range of voter groups. This diversity means that candidates cannot rely solely on caste to secure votes, as voters come from various backgrounds and interests.

It's akin to a restaurant that serves a mix of cuisines. Chefs cannot only cater to one type of food; they must offer a variety to attract more customers and ensure everyone finds something they enjoy.

Many political parties may put up candidates from the same caste (if that caste is believed to dominate the electorate in a particular constituency). Some voters have more than one candidate from their caste while many voters have no candidate from their caste.

Often, political parties nominate multiple candidates from the same dominant caste in a constituency. However, the presence of several candidates does not guarantee uniform voting patterns within the caste, as voters may choose based on various factors beyond just caste affiliation.

Think of a neighborhood with several ice cream shops, each offering different flavors. Just because a certain flavor (representing a caste) is popular doesn't mean everyone will choose it; some might prefer a different flavor based on personal taste.

Clearly, while caste matters in electoral politics, so do many other factors. The voters have strong attachment to political parties which is often stronger than their attachment to their caste or community. People within the same caste or community have different interests depending on their economic condition.

Voter decisions are shaped by a range of influences beyond caste. Affiliation to political parties often overrides caste allegiance, and within castes, interests can vary based on economic status, education, and personal priorities.

Imagine a sports fan who supports a team not because of the majority from their region but due to personal experience with the team's values and success. For voters, allegiance to a party can reflect personal beliefs more than caste identity.

Politics too influences the caste system and caste identities by bringing them into the political arena. Thus, it is not politics that gets caste-ridden, it is the caste that gets politicised.

While caste exists in society, political dynamics can reshape and politicize caste identities. Political aspirations can shift the priorities and alliances of caste groups, influencing how they interact with one another.

Consider how a local high school club, once focused only on one issue, expands its agenda when members realize they can address more. In politics, caste groups may come together for broader goals, changing the landscape of their collective identity.

In some situations, expression of caste differences in politics gives many disadvantaged communities the space to demand their share of power. In this sense, caste politics has helped people from Dalits and OBC castes to gain better access to decision making. At the same time, exclusive attention to caste can produce negative results as well.

Caste politics can empower marginalized groups, allowing them recognition and access to political power. However, focusing solely on caste can overshadow pressing socio-economic issues, leading to divisiveness and conflict within society.

Think of a community garden where everyone works together for mutual benefit. If the focus shifts purely to who planted which vegetable (representing caste), it might divide the group instead of fostering cooperation and acknowledging shared goals.

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