The recent clash between the Karni Sena and Samajwadi Party workers in Agra, marked by a massive rally by the Karni Sena and fervent support for Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman by the SP, was more than a local skirmish. It was a stark display of caste politics tightening its grip on India’s democratic framework. This confrontation, rooted in mobilising caste-based vote banks, threatens social cohesion and undermines the integrity of India’s parliamentary democracy.

India’s democracy thrives on equality, social justice, and representation. Yet, over the decades, these ideals have been eroded by the politics of caste and religious identity.

Read in Hindi: संसदीय लोकतंत्र पर गंभीर संकट है जातिवादी सियासत

The Mandal Commission’s implementation in the 1990s empowered Other Backwards Classes politically and entrenched caste as a defining political identity. Today, electoral success hinges not on governance or policy innovation but on meticulous caste arithmetic.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leverages Hindutva to consolidate its base, while regional parties like the SP, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam cater to specific caste or religious groups.

This fragmentation fractures the unity essential for democratic harmony, reducing complex societal issues to mere caste equations. The Agra clash exemplifies this, with both the Karni Sena, aligned with Rajput interests, and the SP, backed by Yadav and other OBC groups, prioritising caste loyalty over broader public welfare.

A robust opposition is the backbone of parliamentary democracy, tasked with holding the government accountable and offering alternative visions. However, India’s opposition parties are mired in caste, religion, and personality-driven politics, sidelining substantive policy debates. The SP’s reliance on the Yadav family, Mayawati’s unchallenged control over the BSP, and the Karunanidhi family’s dominance in the DMK illustrate a lack of internal democracy. These parties revolve around dynasties, stifling new leadership, youth engagement, and ideological innovation.

This obsession with caste also drowns out critical issues like economic inequality, unemployment, and agrarian distress. Caste-based politics has overshadowed class consciousness, a factor that contributed to the decline of communist movements in India. By prioritising caste over class, political discourse neglects labour rights, educational equity, and public health issues that could unite diverse communities.

With over 2,500 recognised political parties in India, most are built on caste, regional, or individual ambitions. These parties often form opportunistic alliances during elections, bargaining for power rather than advancing a coherent agenda. This erodes transparency and accountability, as parliamentary and state assembly debates devolve into caste-driven rhetoric rather than policy-focused discussions. The Karni Sena’s rally and the SP’s counter-mobilisation in Agra reflect this trend, where caste pride overshadows governance.

Caste politics not only divide society but also weaken the democratic process. When parties prioritise vote banks over public welfare, governance suffers, and voter trust erodes. The focus on caste sensitivities in elections and policymaking sidelines marginalised groups who don’t neatly fit into dominant caste categories. Moreover, the absence of ideological clarity leaves voters with choices based on identity rather than performance, perpetuating a cycle of divisive politics. This dynamic also stifles India’s aspirations as a global leader.

A democracy bogged down by caste calculations struggles to address pressing challenges like climate change, technological innovation, and economic competitiveness, which require unified national efforts.

To break free from the stranglehold of caste politics, systemic reforms are essential. The Election Commission should revoke recognition for parties failing to secure a minimum vote share at the national or state level. This would curb the proliferation of caste- and region-based parties, encouraging broader coalitions. Parties must adopt transparent leadership elections, term limits, and open policy discussions to dismantle dynastic control and foster inclusivity.

The Election Commission should penalise caste-based appeals, hate speech, and ticket distribution prioritising caste over merit. Robust monitoring and swift action are critical. Parties should articulate clear manifestos and train workers to build ideological coherence, shifting focus from identity to policy. This would empower the opposition to present alternative solutions, fostering constructive debate and strengthening democratic accountability.

Education, employment, and social inclusion programs can weaken caste identities, encouraging citizens to prioritise shared rights and responsibilities. Grassroots movements and independent media can amplify marginalised voices and hold parties accountable for divisive tactics.

Caste politics poses a grave threat to India’s democratic ideals, but it is not insurmountable. The opposition must redefine its role, embracing internal democracy, ideological clarity, and a focus on class-based issues like poverty and inequality. By transcending vote-bank politics, opposition parties can rebuild public trust and offer a credible alternative to the ruling coalition.

India’s democratic journey depends on a collective commitment to prioritise service over power. If political parties—ruling and opposition alike—shift their focus from caste to policy and performance, they can restore faith in the democratic process. Only then can India’s pluralistic democracy thrive, reflecting the aspirations of its diverse population and securing its place as a beacon of inclusive governance on the global stage.