By K Raveendran The squabble between Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Kiren Rijiju over the lack of representation of backward classes and tribals in beauty pageants has accorded a bit of glamour to the debate surrounding castes. Rahul’s remark, might seem trivial at first glance, but on closer scrutiny, it turns out to be a calculated move by the Congress party to bring the issue back to the forefront of national politics. No wonder, Kiren Rijiju, the leading Rahul-baiter in the Modi cabinet, has joined issue with the Leader of Opposition.
Caste politics, particularly through the lens of quotas and reservations, is not a new strategy for political parties. The Mandal Commission in the nineties was a watershed moment in Indian politics, fundamentally altering the socio-political landscape of the country. The parties have historically leveraged caste as a tool for political mobilization, and it appears that they are now seeking to reinvigorate this strategy.
The BJP has traditionally used caste to divide while the Congress wants to use it to unite: the difference is only one of approach. The timing of this renewed focus on caste is significant. The Supreme Court’s creamy layer judgment, which seeks to exclude the more affluent members of the backward classes from reservation benefits, has reignited the debate on caste-based quotas.
This judgment has provided fresh impetus for discussions around caste and has given political parties an opportunity to re-engage with a topic that has been somewhat subdued during the years of BJP dominance. The use of caste has paid handsomely to Congress in the recent rounds of elections, which helped the party regain some of the lost ground in caste-sensitive north India. For the Congress, caste politics is not just a matter of appealing to backward classes and tribals; it is about presenting a vision of inclusivity and social justice that contrasts with the BJP’s approach.
While the BJP has been accused of using caste as a tool to divide the electorate, particularly by playing on intra-caste and inter-caste rivalries, the Congress is positioning itself as the party that seeks to unite these groups under a broader banner of social equity. Rahul Gandhi’s comments on beauty pageants are a reflection of this broader strategy. By pointing out the lack of representation of marginalized communities in what is often seen as a bastion of elitism, he is drawing attention to the pervasive nature of caste discrimination in Indian society.
It’s a move designed to resonate with a wide demographic, particularly those who feel left out of the country’s socio-economic advancements. The push for a caste census is another element of this strategy. A caste census would provide the data needed to tailor policies and quotas more effectively, ensuring that they benefit the truly disadvantaged rather than the more affluent sections within each caste.
The Congress has been vocal in its support for such a census, seeing it as a way to address historical injustices and to counter the BJP’s narrative of a unified, caste-neutral India. Caste census runs counter to the agenda set by the BJP, which has traditionally downplayed caste in favour of a broader Hindu identity. This they have been doing through the political messaging focused on development and nationalism, but recent election results, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, show a return to identity politics.
It is clear that the Congress sees this as a necessary move. The party has struggled in recent years to maintain a coherent political identity in the face of BJP’s dominance. By focusing on caste, the Congress is returning to a strategy that has historically been successful for it, particularly in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where caste dynamics are deeply entrenched.
Rahul Gandhi’s embrace of caste politics also signals a broader shift in the Congress’s. For years, the party has been criticised for being out of touch with the grassroots, focusing too much on elite, urban issues while neglecting the concerns of rural and marginalized communities. By centering caste in its political discourse, the Congress is attempting to rebuild its base among the backward classes and tribals, who make up a significant portion of the electorate.
The BJP, on the other hand, is likely to counter this narrative by emphasizing its record on development and its efforts to uplift all communities, regardless of caste. The party’s rhetoric often revolves around the idea of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, which is designed to transcend caste divisions. However, the BJP’s critics argue that this rhetoric masks the party’s use of caste to further its political agenda, particularly through the manipulation of caste-based voting blocs.
The just-concluded elections saw Prime Minister Modi using caste issue to consolidate its influence among backward classes by asserting that the Congress, if voted to power, take quotas away and bestow them on Muslims. But the efficacy of the strategy is in doubt. The upcoming assembly elections will be a crucial test of which narrative resonates more with voters.
If the Congress’s caste-based strategy succeeds, it could lead to a realignment of Indian politics, with caste once again becoming a central issue in electoral battles. This would mark a significant shift from the development-focused rhetoric that has dominated the political landscape in recent years. However, the success of this strategy depends on several factors.
First, the Congress will need to effectively communicate its message to voters, particularly in rural areas where caste identities are most pronounced. This will require a grassroots campaign that goes beyond the rhetoric and addresses the real concerns of backward classes and tribals, such as access to education, employment, and healthcare. Second, the Congress will need to navigate the complex and often contradictory nature of caste politics.
While caste can be a powerful tool for political mobilization, it can also be a source of division and conflict, both within the party and among the electorate. The Congress will need to strike a careful balance between advocating for the rights of marginalized communities and maintaining a broad-based appeal that can attract voters from across the socio-economic spectrum. ( IPA Service ).
