Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

Gender, Religion and Caste in Politics

Reviewed by:
ffImage
hightlight icon
highlight icon
highlight icon
share icon
copy icon
SearchIcon

What Role Does Gender Religion and Caste Play in Politics?

In this particular chapter, students will have an idea about the involvement of gender religion and caste in politics. We all know how in the field of politics nothing happens by coincidence. In order to gather more votes, politicians often tend to use every single aspect that they have in their folds. Some votes are cast based on gender and the religion that the person belongs to.

So, it is important for you to understand how the differentiation happens in politics on the basis of such aspects as religion or caste, or gender. After learning the notes from this chapter, students will have an idea about how gender religion and caste are used in the political scenario of the country.


The Role of Gender in Politics

From a strictly biological point of view, men and women tend to have different anatomies. However, this is a differentiation that is greatly carried out by Indian society as well. It is a fact that women have to go through discrimination in the worst way in some parts of India. Apart from the involvement of caste politics in India, there is also the use of gender to discriminate in the field of politics.

It is not that big of a surprise that the women are poorly represented in the political scenario of the country. So, how does this problem arise? Well, just like any other problem, it arises from the different stereotypes which are a part of society. In India, the roles and responsibilities of women are considered only in household areas and raising children. Hence, this perception of women has affected the political case of the country too.

However, essential steps have been taken recently to improve the situation in the best way with panchayats providing 1/3 of the seats to women.


The Role of Religion in Indian Politics

According to the constitution of India, there is no official religion to be followed by the citizens of the country. As a matter of fact, India calls itself a country that is secular in its religion. Hence, people belonging to different religions are allowed to reside in India and they can practice the different religions of their choosing. Also, there can be no discrimination done against people based on caste and religion.

However, in real life, the situation is much different. There is a huge role that religion and politics in India are severely mixed up.  Hence, it gets to play a crucial role in the political scene of the country. This is an idea that started Communalism.

The main idea behind it is that a particular religion or people belonging to an ethnic group can elect themselves as superior to the other religions that are present. The members present in this superior religion will align a party of their own instead of thinking about the greater good of the country. The religious politics in India is following this pattern for sure.

With the introduction of several political parties in India, communalism has actually been severely exploited by these parties to gain political power. For these people in the parties, this method acts as a way to gather more votes for their win by using religion and politics in India.

They often bring up issues related to minorities and stoke the fires of communalism in the people. This has led to a divide amongst the people as well. Such is the importance of religion in Politics that these parties often tend to get away with unlawful activities with the help of this weapon.


The Role of Caste in Indian Politics

Caste also tends to play a very important role in politics related to the country. It can also be said that the relation between caste and politics in India is pretty much the same as the case of religion. However, this particular aspect seems to be a bit more unique than others. Casteism and the selection of the government rulers based on the cast are seen nowhere in the world. However, in Indian politics, this aspect seems to have embedded itself quite deeply. That is one of the main reasons why people tend to give more importance to caste.

We all are familiar with the fact that the caste system in India has been prevailing for a very long time. The practices were very rigid and sparked hatred amongst the people belonging to different castes. This is something that is seen these days as well. The involvement of caste in politics is even more nowadays.

FAQs on Gender, Religion and Caste in Politics

1. What is the fundamental difference between the sexual division of labour and gender inequality in politics?

The sexual division of labour refers to the societal norm where work is divided based on gender, with women typically handling domestic chores and men working outside the home. This social belief often leads to gender inequality in politics. It is not based on biological ability but on stereotypes that deem women unsuitable for public or political roles, resulting in their significant underrepresentation in decision-making bodies like Parliament and state assemblies.

2. How does communalism pose a threat to the idea of a secular state like India?

Communalism is a major threat because it involves using religion for political gain, often promoting the belief that one's own religion is superior. This directly undermines the principles of a secular state, which guarantees religious freedom for all citizens and has no official state religion. The negative impacts of communal politics include:

  • Demands for a separate state based on religious identity.
  • Political mobilisation along religious lines, which creates social divisions.
  • The potential for communal violence and riots.

3. In what key ways does caste influence the political process in India?

Caste significantly influences Indian politics in several ways. Political parties frequently analyse the caste composition of an electorate when nominating candidates to secure votes from dominant groups. They also make direct appeals to caste sentiments to mobilise support. Furthermore, various caste groups have organised themselves into political parties and pressure groups to advance their interests and demand greater access to power, resources, and social justice.

4. Why is the political representation of women in India's legislative bodies still considered low?

The low representation of women in India's legislative bodies stems from deep-rooted patriarchal social norms and political practices. Key factors include the sexual division of labour that confines women to domestic roles, a lack of access to resources and networks required to contest elections, and a historical reluctance by major political parties to nominate female candidates. While the 73rd Amendment mandated one-third reservation for women in local bodies (Panchayats), a similar bill for Parliament and State Assemblies has faced significant delays, highlighting the persistent challenges.

5. Can politics also influence caste, or is it only a one-way relationship where caste influences politics?

The relationship is two-way; politics doesn't just get influenced by caste, it also actively shapes and redefines caste identities. This phenomenon is often termed the 'politicisation of caste'. For example:

  • Caste groups leverage politics to negotiate for benefits like reservations and social justice, which strengthens their collective identity.
  • New, broader caste categories, such as 'Backward' and 'Forward', have been created and solidified through political discourse.
  • Political competition between different caste groups can lead to the fragmentation or redefinition of traditional caste hierarchies.

6. What is the core difference between casteism and communalism in the political context?

While both are divisive forces, they operate on different principles. Casteism is discrimination or antagonism based on the hierarchical caste system, a unique feature of societies in the Indian subcontinent. In politics, it often manifests as favouring one's own caste. In contrast, communalism is aggressive chauvinism based on religious identity. It falsely claims that people of the same religion share common secular interests, which are then pitted against the interests of other religious communities.

7. How did the concept of a 'secular state' get embedded in the Indian Constitution?

The framers of the Indian Constitution were acutely aware of India's religious diversity and the history of communal conflict. To address this, they established the model of a secular state through several constitutional provisions:

  • It establishes that there is no official religion for the Indian state.
  • The Constitution guarantees all individuals the fundamental right to profess, practice, and propagate any religion.
  • The state is explicitly prohibited from discriminating against any citizen on the grounds of religion.
  • The term 'Secular' was formally added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, reinforcing this foundational principle.

8. What are some examples of the demands made by feminist movements in India?

Feminist movements in India have aimed at achieving equality for women in both private and public spheres. These movements have diverse goals and are not limited to a single issue. Key demands have included:

  • Campaigns for equal wages and the right to education and employment.
  • Agitations against social evils like dowry, domestic violence, and female foeticide.
  • Demands for greater political representation, which led to the advocacy for reserving seats for women in elected bodies.
  • Advocacy for women to have more control over their own bodies and reproductive health choices.