Introduction
1.India is a classic land of castes. Society has been formed on the basis of castes. But all the castes are not equal in strength. Their role and influence are also not equal. Some of the castes are very much organised and exercise a powerful influence on other castes. While other castes are disorganised and have lesser influence in the society.
2.The concept of dominant caste was introduced by the great sociologist M N Srinivas in order to understand inter caste relations and conflicts.
Definition of a dominant caste
According to M N Sriniwas, a caste is dominant when it preponderates numerically over the other caste, when it also wields preponderate economic and political power and when it enjoys a high ritual status in the local caste hierarchy.
Important dominant castes in India
Special features of dominant caste
1.Decisive dominance - When a caste enjoys numerical preponderance, economic and political power, high education, high ritual status and high occupation, it is called that the particular caste is dominant in the area.
For example, Yadavs of Bihar and UP, Jats in Western UP and Haryana.
2.When a caste enjoys one form of dominance, it is frequently able to acquire other forms of dominance also. For example, if a caste is numerically high but economically poor, it may use its numerical strength to gain political power and may assert dominance in the area.
3.Dominance is not purely a local phenomena - Although a caste may be very small in a particular village but if it enjoys decisive dominance in the adjoining areas, that caste would be very much dominant because of its extensive network and so, the dominant caste of that village will have to accommodate itself with the caste which enjoys regional dominance.
4.Rivalries and conflict between the dominant castes - Every state has more than one dominant caste. These castes are always involved in rivalries and conflicts to secure political and economic power. For example, dominant castes of Vokkalingas and Lingayats jostle each other to grab power in every general election in the state of Karnataka. Similarly, the dominant castes of Reddys and Kammas fight each other in the election to capture power in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In UP, the dominant caste of Yadavs and Jatavs fought with each other for the last 30 years to capture power. This assertiveness of Jatav caste, which has been untouchables, propelled Miss Mayawati as the chief minister of UP for four times.
Functions of dominant caste
1.It acts as the reference group for other castes in the process of sanskritization. It sets the model for the majority of people living in the rural areas. For example, the dominant caste of Patidars in the district of Kheira in Gujarat has effects on the culture of all other caste groups living in the district.
2.Dominant caste acted as a watchdog to preserve the assigned caste occupation. The prominent people of the dominant caste prevented the members of one caste from taking over the hereditary occupation of another caste. The dominant caste would ignore minor changes in the rituals and style of life of a low caste. But it would punish the low caste if it refused to perform the traditional services or when it appropriated an important high caste symbol. For example, when after the 1921 census, Yadavas of Bihar decided to call themselves Kshatriya and donned sacred thread, the dominant higher castes like Rajputs and Bhumihars resented very much and it erupted violence.
3.Dominant caste have grabbed political power, tapped economical resources and availed of maximum educational opportunities. They captured government services and political favours to the exclusion of others. They have got ample representation in state assemblies and cabinets. Except for religious and ritual status, they are more influential than the brahmins.
4.According to M N Sriniwas, where the dominant caste are non brahmins, they are greater exploiters of lower caste and other backward castes. The dominant castes have vested interest in keeping the lower caste poor and ignorant. The dominant caste people fear that if the lower caste people become educated and conscious of their rights, they will be a threat to the dominant castes. Since, most of the lands are owned by dominant castes and most of the lower castes and backward castes are agricultural labour, it is feared by the dominant caste that in case of better economic status or deviation from the traditional occupation, the agricultural activities would be hard hit. The attempt to dominate and resistance to dominance leads to caste conflicts. For example, when the untouchables decide to give up the services like removing the dead animals from the houses of the higher castes or if the untouchable bridegroom passes mounted on the horse, through the streets of villages dominated by dominant castes. It is very much resented and sometimes he is also beaten up. This is the regular phenomena to be observed in the rural areas of northern India.
Role of dominant castes in Indian Politics
1.With the introduction of Panchayati raj system, The dominant castes have extended their areas of influence in village, taluks and districts. The political power has bestowed them with economic strength, good education and government jobs.
2.Reservation of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and backward classes further strengthened the position and power of Jatavs and Yadavs in UP to assert their political powers. Politicians find castes as a useful instrument during elections. Competition among major castes groups is often observed in Indian states.
3.Despite the erosion of its ideological basis, the caste has become an instrument of social change. Caste identities have taken new forms of articulation resulting in the rise of identity politics.
4.Caste based politics has given voice and representation to historically marginalised communities and castes. Political parties have recognised the importance of caste based mobilisation to address the specific needs and aspirations of different caste groups. Dominant caste based political parties have emerged, focussing on the interests and concerns of particular castes, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive political system. For example, Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar is headed by Lalu Yadav and this party represents the dominant caste of Yadav. Similarly, JDU of Nitish Kumar, represents the dominant Kurmi caste.
5. Caste based politics has fostered solidarity and a sense of community among members of specific castes, promoting social cohesion and a shared identity.
6.Caste based organisations and movements have played a role in raising the awareness about social injustices, advocating for social welfare measures.
7.Dominant castes influence political socialisation. The individuals are socialised into specific caste identities and affiliations.
8.The dominant castes also perpetuate social divisions, reinforcing inequalities, and limited opportunities for social mobility.
9.Dominant castes often lead to heightened political and social tensions. The competing dominant castes groups fight for power, resources and representation. It can create divisions in the society leading to conflict, violence and social fragmentation.
10.The dominant castes' politics often undermine the ideals of democracy because it does not believe in equal representation, fairness and inclusive politics. It wants to grab as much as power to the exclusion of others . This leads to an impact upon competency and compromising the quality of good governance. It also acts against the principle of social justice.
Conclusion
1.The role of dominant castes in Indian politics cannot be underestimated. It has significantly influenced electoral dynamics and political alliances.
2.The dominant castes politics has led to the regrouping of marginalised castes. For example, to fight the dominant castes of Yadavs in Bihar, the marginalised castes of carpenter, ironsmith, goldsmith, dhanuks, mushar, paswans, pasmanda muslims combined together with lesser dominant castes of Kurmi, Koeris and formed the government under Nitish Kumar for the last 20 years.
3.The dominant castes have helped in the mobilisation of people. Political party secured electoral support and addressed the concerns of dominant castes. However, the dominant castes' politics perpetuated divisions in the rural areas and so to fight against their politics, the marginalised castes have regrouped themselves and given a tough competition to them by aligning with less dominant castes.
4.With the democratisation of the polity in India since independence and several welfare measures adopted by the central and state governments,the vertical solidarity of interdependence of caste has been very much weakened in rural areas. The Jajmani system is now on the brink. But the horizontal solidarity of castes have strengthened. The biggest gainer of this horizontal solidarity has been the dominant caste because of their resources,political power and better networking. That’s why the dominant caste of Jats, Yadavs, Rajputs, Bhumihars, Brahmins have become more powerful politically in northern India and tilt the political outcome in the normal situation.
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