Politics 15.pdf - Rajni Kothari Caste In Indian

: The Indian party system has evolved in a context where caste plays a crucial role. The Congress party, which dominated Indian politics for decades, often managed a broad coalition of caste groups. The rise of regional parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also been linked to caste dynamics, with some parties explicitly representing the interests of certain caste groups.

Kothari notes that the caste dynamics in Indian politics have undergone significant changes over time. In the early years of India's independence, the Congress Party, with its secular and inclusive ideology, sought to transcend caste divisions. However, as the party's dominance waned, caste-based parties and alliances began to emerge, reflecting the growing assertiveness of marginalized castes. The rise of parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) exemplifies this trend, with their focus on representing the interests of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Rajni Kothari Caste In Indian Politics 15.pdf

Rajni Kothari's Caste in Indian Politics argues that caste is not a barrier to modernization, but rather a foundational element that enables democratic integration and political mobilization in India. Kothari emphasizes the "politicization of caste," where traditional structures are utilized to gain political power and representation within the secular democratic system. For an academic summary of these concepts, visit Politics for India CSE - IIT Kanpur Book Excerptise: Caste in Indian Politics by Rajni Kothari : The Indian party system has evolved in

– His solo-authored classic. Chapter 3 or 4 often deals directly with caste. “Page 15” in this book (depending on edition) falls early in the second chapter, where he introduces the concept of the “Congress System” and its caste underpinnings. Kothari notes that the caste dynamics in Indian

Kothari identifies several ways in which caste influences Indian politics: