Caste and Religion in Indian Politics: An Analysis of the Bihar Caste Survey and the Evolution of Identity Politics
Introduction:
Marcel Proust’s quote, “Men, their natures not altering overnight, seek in every new order a continuance of the old,” serves as a backdrop for analyzing the enduring influence of caste and religion in Indian politics.
Here we will examine the recent caste survey in Bihar and its implications for the 2024 general elections, highlighting the evolving nature of caste-based politics and its relationship with socioeconomic changes.
Caste and Religion: The Long-standing Cleavages:
- Caste and religion have historically been the primary fault lines in Indian politics for decades.
- The Bihar government’s caste survey, backed by the Opposition, signifies a continuation of this old paradigm in pursuit of new political objectives.
The Resurgence of Identity Politics:
- The caste and religion-based identity politics are resurfacing as dominant forces in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.
- Critics label this resurgence as regressive, cynical, and reminiscent of the ‘Mandal versus Mandir’ politics of the 1990s.
- However, this framing overlooks the evolution of identity politics in response to changes in the political economy.
Mandal 2.0: Adapting to Socioeconomic Shifts:
- Political scientists note that Narendra Modi’s leadership united the middle class around Hindu nationalism in the post-liberalization era.
- The Bihar caste survey represents a shift towards a new form of caste politics, focusing on class-based mobilization rather than narrow caste-based patronage.
- The survey aims to tap into the aspirations of the precariat, a significant portion of India’s population seeking upward mobility within the informal economy.
Composition of the Precariat:
- The precariat comprises lower Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Dalits, and Muslims.
- These groups face challenges in achieving middle-class status due to limited economic opportunities and protections within the informal economy.
- Status inequalities are more pronounced among Hindus, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The Role of Symbolic Capital:
- The precariat lacks symbolic capital to shape a universal political vision.
- Caste identities offer an alternative symbolic capital based on historical experiences and struggles.
- Unlike the successful Dravidian movement, Mandal politics in the north failed to bring substantive change to the political economy.
A Broader Consensus on Caste Politics:
- The contemporary progressive caste politics has gained wider support than earlier Mandal politics.
- Parties supporting the caste census command a significant vote share nationally, challenging the ruling BJP’s stance.
- Caste politics continues to democratize the social base of Indian politics.
Potential for Institutional Change:
- Comparisons are drawn to Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal in the United States, which transformed American capitalism.
- The politics surrounding the caste survey emphasize the need for equal participation and an institutionally negotiated distribution of resources.
Shifting Alliances:
- Caste-based politics may undergo changes as political elites and marginalized groups reassess their political affiliations.
- Some OBCs may reconsider affiliating with a “Hindu” platform versus an “OBC” platform.
Conclusion:
The resurgence of caste and religion-based identity politics in India, exemplified by the Bihar caste survey, signals a shift toward Mandal 2.0, characterized by a focus on class-based mobilization and aspirations for upward mobility. While challenges remain, a broader consensus on caste politics indicates its enduring influence in shaping India’s political landscape.
Question: Examine the role of caste and religion as enduring cleavages in Indian politics, with a specific focus on the recent Bihar caste survey. Discuss the evolution of identity politics in India and its implications.
India's Services Sector: Two Key Leaps Shaping the Country's Growth Trajectory
Introduction:
- India’s services sector is currently undergoing two significant transformations that are poised to define the country’s growth trajectory.
- These transformations involve the evolution of services exports to the global market and the rapid modernization of domestic services.
- Moreover, these changes extend beyond the services sector and show potential for cross-over into manufacturing, offering promising prospects for India’s economic growth.
Services Exports Evolution:
- Services exports have experienced remarkable growth, contributing $60 billion more in revenues annually compared to three years ago.
- The COVID-19 pandemic played a pivotal role in boosting IT services demand due to the shift to remote work.
- India has progressed beyond its traditional role as a call center or software solution provider, now offering a wide array of professional services spanning accounting, legal, HR, business development, design, and R&D.
- Four main categories of service providers dominate the landscape: large IT firms, mid-sized IT firms, consulting firms, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
- GCCs have transitioned from providing tech and IT support to offering higher-value-added services such as legal, audit, design, and R&D.
Sustaining Growth in Services Exports:
- While the pace of growth in IT services exports may moderate in the near term due to slowing global growth, structural factors suggest continued expansion.
- Permanent shifts in remote work culture, India’s diverse skills portfolio, cost competitiveness, and a tipping point in growth trends contribute to sustainability.
- India appears to be at a point where other countries with substantial global services exports experienced accelerated growth, driven by scale.
Crossing Over into Manufacturing:
- Multinationals are expanding their presence in India, with some transitioning from services to manufacturing, especially in sectors like medical equipment, electronics, and precision manufacturing.
- The complementarity between manufacturing and services suggests that this trend has the potential to drive economic growth.
Modernization of Domestic Services:
- India boasts an impressive digital public infrastructure, attracting tech startups with various business models.
- These startups, initially focused on the services sector, have the potential to expand into manufacturing and agriculture.
- By solving challenges faced by small manufacturers, such as access to credit, cheaper raw materials, improved logistics, and quality checks, startups can simulate scale and incentivize expansion.
- Evidence shows that domestic services startups are already venturing into manufacturing, which could help address India’s job creation challenge in low- and medium-tech manufacturing sectors.
Conclusion:
The transformations in India’s services sector, both in exports and domestically, present promising opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
These developments reflect the changing landscape of services, their integration with manufacturing, and the potential for positive impacts on India’s overall economic trajectory.
Policymakers and businesses should pay close attention to these trends and consider them as catalysts for future growth.
Unprecedented Challenges: Israel's Response to Hamas Attacks and the Path Forward
Introduction
- The recent wave of attacks by Hamas on Israel has led to unprecedented casualties and destruction.
- With over 600 deaths, 1,600 injuries, coordinated infiltration in 22 places, and thousands of rockets, Israel faces one of its darkest days.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged retaliation, including the mobilization of reservists, raising concerns about a possible ground offensive in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Operating Near Civilians: A Tradition in the Middle East
- Traditionally, militant groups in the Middle East have operated near civilians to shield themselves from reprisals and garner popular support.
- Hamas follows this pattern, and while Israeli retaliation may cause significant damage in Gaza, revenge doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome for Israel.
Realistic Possibilities for Israel
- Western Support: Western countries, especially the United States, are re-engaging with Israel in support of its right to self-defense. Despite political hurdles, increased military-security supplies and intelligence cooperation are expected.
- Pursuit of Perpetrators: Israel is likely to pursue overt and covert operations against the leaders of Hamas, including both political and military figures. These operations may extend beyond the Gaza Strip.
- Delegitimizing Terrorism: The Hamas attacks could be an opportunity for Israel to delegitimize terrorism globally, similar to the way the 9/11 attacks changed perceptions of terrorism worldwide.
- Treatment of Kidnapped Civilians: The treatment of Israeli civilians kidnapped by Hamas, particularly women and children, will determine the international legitimacy of Hamas and its supporters.
Qatar’s Role and the Need for Saudi Involvement
Israel must acknowledge Qatar’s role in supporting Hamas and consider a greater role for Saudi Arabia in addressing the Palestinian question. Qatar’s funding and patronage of Islamist groups, including Hamas, should not be ignored.
Reprieve for Netanyahu
- The crisis offers a temporary reprieve for Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been facing domestic opposition.
- With the nation rallying around him due to the security crisis, there are calls for a unity government.
- However, these calls may be short-lived, as the Hamas offensive has highlighted the security challenges that Netanyahu faces, potentially impacting his political career.
Conclusion
Israel faces a complex and evolving situation in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks. While immediate responses involve international support, pursuing perpetrators, and addressing Qatar’s role, the long-term implications on delegitimizing terrorism and Netanyahu’s political future remain uncertain.
