Caste or Religion is a
social concept which indicates the division in the society on the contrary
politics is a concept to govern the society. In India, the two have never
existed independently. The reason is both need each other for their existence
and for their mutual development. Independent India adopted democracy, but
brought into it a new kind of politics. The politics after independence has
advanced to such a level that it may affect both the society as well as the
politics adversely in the near future. Changes are necessary, but the changes
which are harmful to the society should be discarded by showing necessary
political will.
Our politicians desire
to acquire or retain power has caused damage to both society and politics. It
has further divided the society as well as the political fronts. We can see the
politics of dividing people/state on the basis caste/religion. All the parties
from the time of independence had played the politics of
caste/religion/regional/resources, to acquire or retain power. None of the
political parties, including the communists in independent India has sincerely
tried to avoid such politics.
In a democratic India,
it was expected that the political power and the democratic processes would
bring social justice and further a casteless society. However, it didn’t go
that way. Instead of social transformations, the political establishments
contented itself from the electoral loyalty of castes/religion. This led to the
end of social transformation and each caste/religion organized themselves on
caste/religious lines and made a bid for political power.
The impact of
caste/religious politics in India has been disastrous. It has deepened the
fissures in the society and escalated social tensions. It has hampered national
growth due to the precedence of local/regional issues. The occupational groups
are divided on the basis of caste/religion, which in turn has hampered their
development, example farmers in India.
Democracy can be ensured
only by public participation in the governing process through a system of adult
franchise. To make it successful, the political equality should match with the
social and economic equality. For this there should be efforts from both the
political class and society. We should take necessary actions towards supporting
the people suffering from the evils of the castes/religions.
“For a successful
revolution it is not enough that there is discontent. What is required is a
profound and thorough conviction of the justice, necessity and importance of
political and social rights.”
--B.R.Ambedkar
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