Caste in Indian Democracy

There are deep rooted caste-based discrimination and oppression in Indian society. After independence of India, provision of reservation was made to provide equal opportunities to marginalised group of society.  After independence, oppressed caste-groups started exploring political space in the Government and administration.  Two major turning points in the democracy, when caste become a major face, were provision of reservation and Mandal Commission.  Ambedkar designed the policy of reservation or protective discrimination to remove untouchability from social life and polity.  Mandal commission designated reservation to the backward classes other than SCs/STs based on the economic status. Populationwise, while SCs/STs share 23% population while OBCs share nearly 45% population.  Reservation provisions of Mandal Commission were opposed vigorously by upper castes those were occupying position of strength in political and economic system.  It gives opportunity to political parties to play caste based politics and secure political and economic gain.  Consequently, caste-based political parties like BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), BSP (Bhaujan Samaj Party) and SP (Samajwadi Party) were formed and they tacitly followed the caste pattern to extract mileage in electoral politics. The caste based politics democratised the caste-based Indian society but simultaneously undermined the evolution of class-based organisations.  The overall, caste based politics determine the democratic evolution since 1979 and give the opportunity to suppressed castes to get their share in Indian democratic system.