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Home / IAS Preparation / Ethnicity in Indian Politics

Exploring Ethnicity in Indian Politics: Identity, Electoral Strategies, and Political Mobilization!

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Ethnicity in Indian politics refers to political divisions along ethnic, religious and linguistic lines. Communal politics based on religion stirs harmful divisions among citizens with different faiths.

The content in this article may assist folks getting ready to take UPSC IAS exam.

Communal Politics And Ethnicity In Indian Politics

Religion divides people in India. Many political parties use religion to get votes. This is communal politics. It causes harm.

  • After Independence in 1947, India was divided. Pakistan is made for Muslims. India for rest. This division caused pain. It showed religion can divide people.
  • Then communal politics started. In 1954, Jana Sangh formed. They wanted a 'Hindu nation'. Since then, parties have used religion to get votes.
  • Parties use religions and groups to get votes. They create fears. They promise benefits based on religion. Over time, this got worse.
  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) uses Hindutva. They promise to help Hindus. They use Hindu symbols. This made communal politics worse.
  • Communal politics causes violence. When parties focus on religions, people divide. An "us vs them" attitude grows. This leads to violence against minorities. India saw many Hindu-Muslim riots because of communal politics.
  • Ethnicity-based politics limits equal citizenship. When benefits are given based on religion, it breaks secular rules. It makes some religious groups feel left out.
  • Though communal politics is old, it goes against united India. India's constitution ensures equality for all. Religion-based politics goes against this.
  • In the long term, communal politics harm India. The religious divide can grow into hatred. Parties must stop using religion for votes. If religion is removed from politics, democracy will strengthen. Equality, justice and non-discrimination will increase.
  • While ethnicity in Indian politics is common, it goes against secular ideas India should have. Parties must focus on development, governance and economic equality for all citizens. This will reduce religious division. Communal politics harm India's unity. Religion-based politics must reduce for India to progress as a nation. Parties must focus on issues beyond religion that affect all Indians equally. This alone can make India united and strong.

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Role Of Caste In Indian Politics

Caste has played an important role in shaping Indian politics for a long time. Different political parties have used caste identity and affiliation to mobilise votes and gain power. However, in recent times, the influence of caste seems to be declining in Indian elections.

  • Caste identity forms the basis of ethnicity in Indian politics. The constitution of India recognises only two categories, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, to provide reservations. However, many other caste identities exist in political circles that political parties try to mobilise.
  • During the British rule, caste became more rigid and crystallised. The British tried to divide Indians based on caste, religion and language to make it easier to rule over them. As a result, Indians started identifying more with their specific caste identities.
  • During the freedom struggle also, caste played a role. Many prominent national movement leaders, like B.R. Ambedkar and M K Gandhi, were mobilising people on caste lines. Ambedkar focused on mobilising Dalits, while Gandhi focused more on the upper castes.
  • After Independence, most mainstream political parties convinced people to vote based on caste. They fielded candidates from different castes to appeal to specific groups of voters.
  • Members of the same caste tended to vote for candidates of their caste to ensure representation of their interests. This led to the politics of caste identity and polarisation in India.
  • Ethnicity in Indian politics started determining election strategies and results. Political parties conducted extensive caste-based surveys to decide which candidates to field from which constituency.
  • However, in recent decades, the influence of caste seems to be declining in Indian elections. Factors like increasing literacy, urbanisation and economic aspirations make voters less influenced by caste.
  • Issues like development, good governance and basic amenities are becoming bigger determinants of voting decisions. Voting is becoming more 'issue-based' rather than just being influenced by caste affiliations.
  • The growing influence of national parties like the BJP and the Congress, which have a pan-India appeal, is also reducing the dominance of regional parties with a focus on certain castes.
  • The rise of newer social categories like the youth and women cut across caste lines and makes caste less important.
  • Though the importance of caste as an electoral mobilising factor is declining, it still influences election results to a large extent. Parties still field candidates based on caste equations to maximise votes. Caste-based surveys still determine strategies to a great extent.
  • Caste mobilisation is still important for regional parties that depend more on specific social constituencies. Distribution of tickets to candidates from different castes ensures that all major caste groups feel represented by the party.
  • Ethnicity in Indian politics will likely remain an important factor for a long time. But its dominance is slowly declining due to socioeconomic changes in Indian society. Caste is now only one of the factors determining election results rather than the main factor as it used to be earlier.
  • The influence of caste is reducing, but it still plays an important role in Indian politics. 
  • India is known for its ethnic and linguistic diversity. There are several hundred languages spoken across the country. This linguistic diversity has also played a role in shaping Indian politics and forming political parties.
  • Linguistic and ethnic identities form an important basis of ethnicity in Indian politics. After Independence, there were demands for reorganising states on linguistic lines. This led to the formation of states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu etc.
  • Several political parties were formed based on linguistic identities. These parties mobilised support by appealing to the linguistic pride and ethnic identity of people. They promised more resources, representation and promotion of the respective languages.

Impact On National Politics
  • Ethnicity in Indian politics based on linguistic identities has also impacted national politics. Regional parties based on language have been important allies for the Congress and the BJP-led coalitions at the centre.
  • They use their influence to get more funds and projects for their respective states. Sometimes they even demand symbolic recognition of their linguistic identity at the national level.
  • However, in recent times, the influence of linguistic identities seems to be declining to some extent. With the rise of national parties like the BJP, which have a pan-India appeal, linguistic identities may not be as dominant.
  • Issues like development, governance and economic reforms are becoming more important for voters than linguistic pride and identity. Such identities less influence the youth and middle classes.
  • But linguistic identities and parties still play an important role in Indian politics. Regional parties continue to mobilise support based on language and promise more representation and resources for their respective linguistic groups.
  • Ethnicity in Indian politics ensures that linguistic minorities have a voice and due representation. It also acts as a check on domination by larger language groups. Linguistic federalism is an important part of Indian democracy.
  • For India to move forward as one nation, linguistic divisions need to be bridged to some extent. National integration requires people to see their linguistic identity as part of a larger Indian identity.
  • At the same time, linguistic diversity must be celebrated, and different language groups must feel represented. A balanced approach that accommodates ethnic identities while promoting national unity is the way forward.
  • In conclusion, while the influence of linguistic identities in politics may be declining marginally, they remain important in ensuring a plural democracy that respects ethnic diversity. Linguistic federalism ensures the representation of India's diverse ethnolinguistic groups at different levels. Promises. Social and educational changes are chipping away at caste identities, but completely removing the caste factor will be a long process in Indian democracy.

Tribal Groups in Indian Politics
  • Tribal communities have traditionally been at the margins of Indian politics and society. However, there have been efforts to give them more political representation and voice in recent decades.
  • Tribal groups form an important part of the ethnic diversity in Indian politics. The Constitution of India recognises them as Scheduled Tribes and provides reservations in education and government jobs.
  • For a long time, tribal groups were largely excluded from mainstream Indian politics. The constitutional safeguards did not translate into actual political power and representation.
  • Most tribal communities live in remote, forested areas with little access to development and opportunities. They tended to have low levels of education, income and standard of living.
  • This made it difficult for them to participate effectively in electoral politics dominated by other social groups. Lack of awareness about political processes also restricted their involvement.
  • However, in recent decades, civil society groups and activists have made efforts to mobilise tribal communities to claim their political and economic rights.
  • Movements like Jharkhand Movement in the early 1990s fought for a separate state for tribal communities. Other struggles have been on issues like land rights, displacement and reservation in political institutions.
  • This has helped in increasing awareness about political processes among tribal groups and motivating them to participate more actively.
  • Ethnicity in Indian politics of tribal groups has also led to the formation of political parties focused on their issues and interests.
  • These tribal parties have worked to increase the political representation of tribal groups in state assemblies and national parliament through electoral politics.
  • The Constitution of India provides certain safeguards and reservations for tribal communities. These provisions aim to ensure proportional political participation and representation of tribal groups according to their population.
  • While tribal groups still face socioeconomic challenges, there have been gains in political participation in recent decades.
  • Ethnicity in Indian politics is helping to bring tribal issues to the forefront and demand more resources and representation. Many tribal leaders have emerged in mainstream political parties.
  • But much more must be done to fully integrate tribal communities into the political mainstream and give them a greater say in shaping policies affecting their lives. Poverty, ethnic conflict in India and displacement continue to plague many tribal areas.
  • For tribal groups to have an effective say in Indian politics, the focus needs to be on their socioeconomic development.
  • Improving education, health care, livelihood opportunities, and access to basic amenities can help empower tribal communities and enable them to participate more meaningfully in the democratic process.
  • At the same time, tribal identity and interests must be recognised to ensure their voices are heard, and their needs are met. A nuanced approach sensitive to the historical disadvantages faced by tribal groups is key.
  • In conclusion, while tribal groups now have greater political participation and representation, much more must be done to fully integrate them into the democratic process. Both economic empowerment and respect for ethnic identity will be crucial for this.

Conclusion

Ethnicity in Indian politics should ideally celebrate diversity while promoting national unity and development. However, communal politics does the opposite.

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Ethnicity in Indian Politics FAQs

Identity-based on caste, religion, language and region, which influences politics in India. Different ethnic groups demand representation and resources based on their identities.

Caste identity, religious identities like Hindus and Muslims, linguistic identity of people speaking different languages, and regional identity of people from different states.

It influences election strategies, the formation of political parties, and the distribution of resources and representation. Parties field candidates from different ethnic groups to maximise votes.

While ethnicity remains important, its influence seems to be declining marginally due to factors like education, economic development and the emergence of national parties. But ethnic identities still determine election results to a large extent.

By respecting ethnic identities while promoting national unity and a larger Indian identity. Proportional representation of different groups, sensitivity towards their historical disadvantages, and measures to promote social integration.
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