HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 121 : Model Answer

Question:  Caste plays a significant role in politics in India. How would you examine this statement in  context of Himachal Pradesh? (8marks, 120 words)

Answer.

According to Rajni Kothari, politicization of caste in India played a very important role in developing party politics. Caste as a social stratification system has influenced the socio-economic and political scenario of society.

Caste has influenced both society and politics in both positive and negative ways.

Positive:

1. Caste and empowerment of the disadvantaged: It has given people of the disadvantaged community to demand their fair share of power.
2. Caste solidarity which can also be described as caste patriotism helped in guaranteeing them better representation.

Negative:

1.  Caste politics also goes against the ideals of democracy which profess equality, and solidarity.
2. Caste politics also divert the attention of the government from pressing issues like poverty, development, and corruption to caste violence and tension.
3. It often led to an unhealthy struggle for power and has fragmented the society into various caste groups.

Caste also plays significant role in politics of Himachal Pradesh.

1. If one goes through the political history of Kangra, it is evident that caste politics plays a dominant role here. Caste remains the deciding factor, therefore, all political parties keep it in mind while selecting their candidates.
2. The BJP has given its ticket to Kapoor, famous tribal Gaddi leader. On the other hand, the Congress has fielded Pawan Kajal, MLA from Kangra and from the Chaudhry OBC community.
3. While the Assembly segments of Nagrota Bagwan, Kangra, Jwalamukhi, Guler, Sulaha , Palampur and Jawali have a sizeable OBC population. Gaddi voters are concentrated in Dharamsala, Shahpur, Baijnath, Palampur and parts of Chamba district.

Conclusion: caste is constantly evolving and constantly changing its dynamism concerning Indian politics. Its basis and modality of functioning are changing through electoral politics, economic development, and cultural change.