Politics is often like a phenomenon that manages Decline.
India's caste politics is one of those areas. Of course, the root of caste politics lies in the Hindu social structure and no renaissance has able to do away with it. It is a matter of concern and national weakness. It promotes mediocre and by the spirit of it is anti-talent and anti-development.
On the other hand, it is pro-Jugadu culture of Indian politics and maybe the caste system was also responsible for creating 'vote banks' in Muslims and in Christians in some areas. This has led to appeasement politics and the 'appeasement' is not only for Muslims -- it was tried as a government tool in north east and in most cases it has failed and backfired.
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| Caste is 'more dangerous than opium' |
Hence in Nagaland, while taking flight to New Delhi - the Naga youths would say they were "going to India". The Congress ruled for years, but there was no national integration. The BJP is in power these days but not much has changes since the tribal youths have been made to believe -- everything about BJP and Hindus are 'bad'.
And one day the Congress will come back and we can be corrupt and promoting and pushing nepotism once again.
Now, moveover ... The BJP-led Modi Govt has announced that it will conduct a caste census.
The move has stunned the Congress and other Opposition parties while analysts, Modi's admirers and detractors are still wondering what made the Lotus party take such a 'U turn'.
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| Netas and Quotas |
It is one of the biggest U-turns by the Modi government and notwithstanding the mood to take firm action against Panicistan; not many BJP supporters could be happy about the move.
However, there is an argument. The survey may not change much on ground. The caste census will only give the statistics and dats about OBCs and smaller caste groups and these can be helpful in preparing governance models at a later stage.
The dangerous part of the story will actually begin with reservation issue once the caste data is available.
Now the other side of the story. The Congress party guaranteed a nationwide caste census if it came to power. In two of the three states where it is in power, the party has followed through on this promise, indicating this isn’t just a gimmick.
Most dangerous part of the story is Congress will promise anything to be in power.
The dynasty delivered India's Partition so that the power hungry English educated gentleman could become the first Prime Minister of India.
To ensure Rahul Gandhi become Prime Minister; the Congress party and Rahul's mother will agree to pay any price.
But Narendra Modi is 'our Modi'. We want him to be a tough and decisive Prime Minister. Politics may be a smart game. But do not do anything which could bring back Mandal politics back.
Since OBC reservations currently stand at 27 per cent, and SC-STs enjoy almost a 100 per cent reservation vis-a-vis their population, raising the cap is likely to benefit OBCs. But what happens to upper caste Hindus?
The Hindutva politics is going strong. We have Modi and nationalism. Hence, the risk is well-timed by Modi. But it is a situation where the Prime Minister will require tightrope walking.
The BJP's worry could be the fast approaching Bihar elections as also the early part of 2027 when Uttar Pradesh - that gives 80 MPs - will go to elect its state legislature.
In 2024, Lok Sabha polls - the casteist party of Akhilesh Yadav did better than Modi's and hence the concern is legitimate. Ultimately, people will decide what kind of politics they will get -- cowbelt or otherwise !!
In Bihar in 2024 parliamentary elections; while the NDA won 30 out of the 40 seats, importantly it lost nine seats compared to its 2019 performance.
Notably, the NDA recorded a 12 per cent drop in Kurmi-Koeri support and a dramatic 24 per cent decline among Other-OBC votes in Bihar and the INDI alliance bloc gained nine (9) seats and just over one per cent of votes.
In Uttar Pradesh, the NDA won just 36 of the 80 seats, a loss of 28 compared to 2019. This despite Ram temple and even Faizabad seat was lost.
Akhilesh Yadav had called his vote bank Pichade (Backward classes), Dalit, and Alpsankhyak (Minorities) formula -- PDA - and that trumped Hindutva.
The loss of support was even more striking: 19 per cent amongst Kurmi-Koeri and 13 per cent amongst Other-OBCs.
Nitish Kumar's government had even raised the reservation cap to 65 per cent in Bihar, a move eventually struck down by the courts as unconstitutional. Yet the political messaging was clear: the Janata Dal (United) leader understands the power of caste arithmetic in Bihar's complex social landscape.
Caste might not have made much of a difference in Maharashtra and Haryana politics; but there are reasons to believe Caste cannot be ignored in Bihar and in Uttar Pradesh. Even in Tamil Nadu -- which goes to polls in 2026 - the caste could turn out a big factor.
But caste census is not bad per se if the data is actually used properly without playing politics with Quota. If Manipur burnt in 2023; the quota politics was one trigger.
The country expects big things from Modi; --- true it has too much of a wishful thinking. But the true leadership is the one who takes unorthodox roadmaps. That Namo has taken numerous times. He needs to take more.
With or without Moditva ; caste politics is bad.
Caste is evil. He has to understand it. As the old saying goes -- there comes challenges and tough times and it is always the tough who gets going when the going is ruff and tough.
Hence, time to say -- there are times when noisy rebuilding of social and political structure is a must. But prior to that there has to be some messy political demolitions.
ends
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