Caste and Politics in India: An Analysis and its Implications

Abstract

Caste provided the basis for the mobilization and integration of the people with democracy. This paper focuses on the central element of Indian politics, influencing voter behavior, party strategies, and policy decisions. Caste system in India is a hereditary, endogamous group forming a single homogeneous community, shaping social and cultural dynamics. This paper also reveals the rise of caste politics in India. It is a complex interplay of regional aspirations and electoral dynamics. The relationship between caste and politics has been analyzed at two levels: one, how caste affects politics, and two, how politics affects caste.