A STUDY ON CASTE SYSTEM IN INDIAN POLITICS

AUTHOR – SAMUEL.S* & Ms. NANDHINI M**

* STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF LAW, VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED STUDIES (VISTAS)

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT SCHOOL OF LAW, VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED STUDIES (VISTAS)

BEST CITATION – SAMUEL.S & Ms. NANDHINI M, A STUDY ON CASTE SYSTEM IN INDIAN POLITICS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (6) OF 2026, PG. 930-933, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I6496

ABSTRACT

In Indian culture, the term “caste” refers to a social class whose membership is mostly defined by birth. With the spread of Hinduism, this caste structure became entrenched and hereditary. The Laws of Manu (Manusmitri) proclaim the rule and complete impunity of upper castes while making reference to the impurity and servitude of outcasts. The lowest caste members are told that their standing in the caste system results from sins committed in a previous life. For offences like becoming literate or insulting a member of a dominating caste, harsh punishments including torture and death are intended. The most trustworthy text of Hinduism, Manusmitri, proposes extreme inequity as the governing principle of social affairs and justifies social exclusion. Caste still very much matters to Indian citizens even in the modern world, though one must point out that different groups of citizens have different reasons for maintaining the system of caste. Even in the present era, caste is still very important to Indian citizens, although it should be noted that different groups of citizens have varied motivations for upholding the caste system. In order to subjugate the lower castes and preserve their dominance, the upper castes aim to keep caste alive. The politics of ideology and the politics of action can be distinguished in every emerging political system.Some of the most crucial elements of the nature and course of political change in such a system can be revealed by analyzing the reciprocal activity between the two.

  The caste system is one of the oldest social institutions in India, deeply influencing social, economic, and political life. Traditionally based on birth, caste determines social status, occupation, and access to resources. Even after independence and the adoption of the Constitution, caste continues to shape Indian politics in significant ways.In a democratic setup like India, political parties often rely on caste identities to mobilize voters. This has led to the emergence of caste-based politics, where communities vote collectively based on shared caste interests.