Caste has played a very important role in the success of Indian Democracy by mobilizing India’s mass electorate to participate in the election process effectively. Targeting casteism for political purpose has begun long before the introduction of adult franchise. It has so deeply penetrated in the Indian Politics that it not only shapes the political parties; but also their manifestoes for elections. The illiterates who are unknown about the political moves are organized by appealing to their caste sentiments by the self-centered politicians.
The various groups like the Nairs, Christians and Ezhavas in Kerala; the Khammas and Reddys in Andhra; the Marathas and Mahars in Maharashtra; the Jats, Rajputs, Meenas, Brahmins, Gujars etc in Rajasthan determine the political scenario in these states to a great extent.
Caste has polarized the national politics and caste politics breed caste parties. Not a single party avowedly opposes casteism and is free from the influence of it. Even the national parties whether Congress or BJP while allocating tickets to the candidates and portfolios to the ministers, do a proper analysis of caste factor .Caste tends to determine electoral nominations and voting behaviors now-a-days.
A major conundrum that has cropped up owing to caste politics is that many castes have started making numerous demands. Some want themselves to be categorized as OBCs and some want reservations, violating the representative principles envisaged under the democratic pattern of our country. A very bilious example is the Gujar agitation currently confronting Rajasthan. It has taken a great toll of innocent lives and has caused enormous destruction and damage to the National property. This vicious circle has started spreading its circumference to entire nation which can prove extremely dreadful to the interest of our nation and democracy, still our learned and experienced leaders both from state and central government are feeling helpless and pity.
Who knows they actually capitalize on being one!!!
Life @ IILM 
hmm… very true !! but with India being so diverse concerning its religions, castes etc., it is understandable that such iconflicts would keep on rearing its ugly head every now and then. But yes, it does need to be tackled. I have a differing opinion on how to tackle it though .. you said all teh political parties are using casteism as a way to contest elections – and that this is bad. But i’ll say this is a required pain we have to go through. The whole caste issues DO need to be brought up sometime and cleared up once and for all. Ignoring them is not a solution. So if parties are are using them as a base to win elections they might atleast be unknowingly doing some good by bringing out all the angst people have pent up inside them …
By: havishm on June 8, 2008
at 12:38 pm
Places Named After Gujar Tribe In Pakistan
The thousands of places were named after the Gujjars and their sub-tribes in the Sub-Continent during the period they ruled over the South and some part of Central Asia. In these days an interesting discussion is going on as to who the Gujjars or Gurjars are? I am mentioning the name of some places situated in all the four provinces of Pakistan. This do not include the villages named after the Gujjars situated in Jammu & Kashmir, Northern Areas and the Tribal Areas. I will updating the visitors of this site after I complete the data in respect of these areas. I will also try my best some time later to provide the name of villages after the sub-tribes of Gujjars. The following data will help the analysts and historians to draw some befitting and logical conclusion.
I will be highly obliged if any brethren may add to my knowledge by mentioning such places named after the word Gujar, Gujjar or Gurjar, situated in India or any other part of the world. Kindly forward this despatch to other sites discussing the Gujjar’s dilema.
Regards
Ch. Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar,
By: Ch.Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar, Advocate on August 9, 2008
at 8:42 am