The Growing Significance of Caste in Indian Politics

Recently, Rahul Gandhi, the President of the Indian National Congress, has been making headlines with his push for a caste census. This move comes at a time when the Congress party is reeling under the weight of continuous failures in governance and public support. In an effort to stay relevant and reinvigorate the party, Gandhi has resorted to divisive tactics aimed at exploiting caste-based politics, a strategy that was once condemned by his predecessors.

Back to the Old Tactics

Rahul Gandhi's aggressive stance on caste can be traced back to his early political career in 2004, when he vehemently opposed the idea of using caste as a dividing factor in Indian society. However, his failure to maintain voter support and the party’s decline in popularity over the years have forced him to reconsider this stance. The Congress party, now led by Rahul Gandhi, is utilizing caste as a weapon in their battle against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The caste census is considered a crucial tool in strengthening the naxal-bloch or backward classes (BC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) sections of society. By advocating for a census, Gandhi aims to bolster the rights and representation of these communities, playing on their vulnerabilities and insecurities. This strategy is part of a broader political arsenal designed to unite the BC sections of society and possibly even to create a more cohesive vote bank.

Rahul Gandhi's Failed Attempts and Last Resort

During the recent Union Budget session in Parliament, Gandhi's repeated attempts to introduce the caste census faced strong opposition. His efforts to highlight the underrepresentation of minorities and other backward classes in key positions, such as officer roles, drew criticism and backlash.

For instance, in the pre-Budget Halwa ceremony, Gandhi brought attention to the fact that only one officer was from a minority community and one from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) out of 20 officers involved in budget preparation. This move was seen as a calculated attempt to emphasize the Congress party's commitment to representing marginalized communities.

The Two-Fold Strategy

Rahul Gandhi's strategy can be understood as two-pronged. Firstly, he uses the caste census to appeal to the marginalized communities within India, promising greater rights and representation. Secondly, he employs this issue as a means to divide the opposition, particularly the BJP, by exploiting their own internal contradictions and proving that they do not adequately represent the needs of all segments of society.

This strategy has gained momentum with support from various quarters, including Anupriya Patel, a BJP ally who has endorsed the idea of a caste census. The Congress hopes that this issue can be used to attract more alliances and supporters, creating a coalition that will counter the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

At the CASE of Wayanad

The recent visit of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to the landslide-affected areas in Wayanad, Kerala, highlights the other side of the Congress party's political agenda. While the disaster response was a visible show of support, the underlying motive might be to air the concerns of the marginalized sections, such as Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) to sway public opinion and garner votes.

For example, the question of how many SC, ST, and OBC members were part of their team during the visit remains unanswered. Additionally, Rahul Gandhi has announced that he will not contest in the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat but will instead support a more appropriate candidate from the marginalized communities. This move aligns with his slogan, 'Jitni Abadi Utna Haq,' or proportional rights based on numbers.

Conclusion

Rahul Gandhi's desperate resort to caste-based politics through the caste census is a clear indication of the party's deep-seated issues and the lack of strong leadership. By exploiting the fears and aspirations of marginalized communities, Gandhi may temporarily boost the Congress party's fortunes, but this strategy is fraught with risks and could alienate the very sections that the party seeks to support.

The political landscape of India will continue to evolve, and the success or failure of this strategy will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the country's governance and societal dynamics.