Harsita AgrawalAIR 163 · CSE 2024 · 179 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
Rajni Kothari has explained the relationship between politicisation of caste and deepening of democracy in India.
Caste politicization is deepening democracy as:
Body · points
Caste is taking organizational forms. Kothari explains this with reference to rise of caste associations, caste federations, which work for safeguarding caste interests.
Decentralization of power due to reservation in Panchayati bodies based on caste.
Caste-based political parties such as Bahujan Samaj Party work for promoting rights of lower castes.
Political mobilisation based on caste allows for interest articulation and political participation.
Challenges to democracy due to politicisation of caste identities
Rise of identity politics - national interest made subservient to caste interests.
Against democratic principles - A. Beteille explains how caste is based on collectivism and hierarchy, while democracy promotes individualism.
Increasing demands for reservation due to varnaization of caste, e.g. by Jats, Marathas challenging to efficiency of democracy.
Substantialisation of caste is taking place, as explained by Louis Dumont.
Close · a summary
Therefore, caste and politics are a matter of dynamic interest, acting as a 'necessary evil' in our society.