Question

Caste can take various forms in politics explain any five forms

Answer 1

Caste is the sole basis of social community. It can take various forms in politics.
(i) Selection of Candidates in Politics: When parties choose candidates in elections, they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate and nominate candidates from different castes so as to muster necessary support to win elections. When governments are formed, political parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it.
(ii) Political Parties as the Representatives of Caste : Political parties and candidates in elections make appeals to caste sentiments to muster support. Some political parties are known to favour some castes and are seen as their representatives, e.g., BSP in India.
(iii) Caste influences Universal Adult Franchise :Universal adult franchise and the principle of one- person one-vote compelled political leaders to gear up to the task of mobilising and securing political support. It also brought new consciousness among the people of castes that were hitherto treated as inferior and low.
(iv) Various caste groups are required to enter into a coalition with other castes or communities and thus enter into a dialogue and negotiation.
(v) New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political arena like "backward" and "forward caste groups."

Answer 2

Influence of caste on politics :

(i) While choosing candidates for election, political  parties consider the caste composition of the  voters to win support.

(ii) When the government is formed, political parties  takecare that representative from different castes  find place in the government.

(iii) Political parties make appeal to the caste  sentiments to win votes.

(iv) Some political parties are known to favour some  particular caste.

(v) Universal adult franchise and the principle  of one-person one-vote have compelled the  political leaders to bring caste sentiments into  politics to muster support.