Will caste remain a selling point in Indian politics?
Caste plays a big role in India – in politics and in society. Come 2014 it is very likely that politicians will furiously campaign on caste fault-lines.
Ironically, research shows that using caste as a basis to dispense benefits and draft policies to protect interests of socially disadvantaged groups, like lower castes in India, may not necessarily benefit the intended beneficiaries. Take the example of admissions based on caste reservations in higher education in India.
A 2011 University of Virginia research paper examined the effects of affirmative action (reservations) and peer effects in general education in India. It found caste based divisions amongst students have negative implications on academic performance of meritorious students across the caste board. So, no matter the caste, every student suffers the negative impact. It only means a big bowl of cream-of-mediocre, quite literally.
What’s more, research shows that even today in an integrated class room low-caste peers do not connect with their high-caste peers. And, it is in fact the low-caste students who actually suffer a more profound negative effect from competition from their high-caste peers instead of benefitting. Effectively, this undoes whatever little positive gain they get from their own-caste high-achieving peers in the same class-room. Clearly, providing equal opportunity is different from compensation or retribution for past injustice.
Caste is complicated business in India. For Hindus who form 80 per cent of the 1 billion people in India; caste is a tag based on ancient ideas of racial strains. It is automatically attached at birth. Intrinsic caste-lines ruthlessly divide people in matters of livelihood, marriage and politics. However, the caste system is not uniformly followed across India and it is inaccurate to assume that lower caste status automatically means neediest.
Besides, India’s growing economy has eroded the influence of the 3,000-year-old system somewhat and has given modern caste adversaries a newer language of competition. To respond to a changing India, politicians and policy makers need to understand the loosening grip of caste on the social order. With the rural to urban immigration trend, economic mobility defines status with immigrants freely choose occupations unlike their predecessors.
Caste violence, a social reality, is by no means illusory or trivial but ensuring social justice on caste basis seems grossly out of time with a progress oriented India that rejects caste affiliations. Caste is hardly important for a busy country and where you need skilled people to get a job done.
It is vitally important to base policy and politics on a firm empirical footing. Caste is unlike race or gender where in spite of affirmative action, people remain white or female regardless of economic mobility.
Politicians howling for caste-based quota would seem comical if it weren’t for the benefits of playing the caste card. The caste card is deftly played with the motive to create a definitive vote bank. Other religious groups are not far behind in whining for preferential treatment. Using caste as a means to opportunity is proof of systemic flaws and perpetuates a really bad attitude.
Caste plays a big role in India – in politics and in society. Come 2014 it is very likely that politicians will furiously campaign on caste fault-lines. Ironically, research shows that using caste as a basis to dispense benefits and draft policies to protect interests of socially disadvantaged...
Caste plays a big role in India – in politics and in society. Come 2014 it is very likely that politicians will furiously campaign on caste fault-lines.
Ironically, research shows that using caste as a basis to dispense benefits and draft policies to protect interests of socially disadvantaged groups, like lower castes in India, may not necessarily benefit the intended beneficiaries. Take the example of admissions based on caste reservations in higher education in India.
A 2011 University of Virginia research paper examined the effects of affirmative action (reservations) and peer effects in general education in India. It found caste based divisions amongst students have negative implications on academic performance of meritorious students across the caste board. So, no matter the caste, every student suffers the negative impact. It only means a big bowl of cream-of-mediocre, quite literally.
What’s more, research shows that even today in an integrated class room low-caste peers do not connect with their high-caste peers. And, it is in fact the low-caste students who actually suffer a more profound negative effect from competition from their high-caste peers instead of benefitting. Effectively, this undoes whatever little positive gain they get from their own-caste high-achieving peers in the same class-room. Clearly, providing equal opportunity is different from compensation or retribution for past injustice.
Caste is complicated business in India. For Hindus who form 80 per cent of the 1 billion people in India; caste is a tag based on ancient ideas of racial strains. It is automatically attached at birth. Intrinsic caste-lines ruthlessly divide people in matters of livelihood, marriage and politics. However, the caste system is not uniformly followed across India and it is inaccurate to assume that lower caste status automatically means neediest.
Besides, India’s growing economy has eroded the influence of the 3,000-year-old system somewhat and has given modern caste adversaries a newer language of competition. To respond to a changing India, politicians and policy makers need to understand the loosening grip of caste on the social order. With the rural to urban immigration trend, economic mobility defines status with immigrants freely choose occupations unlike their predecessors.
Caste violence, a social reality, is by no means illusory or trivial but ensuring social justice on caste basis seems grossly out of time with a progress oriented India that rejects caste affiliations. Caste is hardly important for a busy country and where you need skilled people to get a job done.
It is vitally important to base policy and politics on a firm empirical footing. Caste is unlike race or gender where in spite of affirmative action, people remain white or female regardless of economic mobility.
Politicians howling for caste-based quota would seem comical if it weren’t for the benefits of playing the caste card. The caste card is deftly played with the motive to create a definitive vote bank. Other religious groups are not far behind in whining for preferential treatment. Using caste as a means to opportunity is proof of systemic flaws and perpetuates a really bad attitude.
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