THE SOCIOLOGY OF INDIAN POLITICAL LANDSCAPE – THE THREE MAJOR IDEOLOGICAL STRAINS – WITH CENTRIST CONGRESS PARTY BEING THE INEVITABLE APPROPRIATE CONSEQUENT

THE SOCIOLOGY OF INDIAN POLITICAL LANDSCAPE – THE THREE MAJOR IDEOLOGICAL STRAINS – WITH CENTRIST CONGRESS PARTY BEING THE INEVITABLE APPROPRIATE CONSEQUENT

The Indian Nation presents the case of a unique and unparalleled entity in terms of social and cultural diversity. This immense diversity has resulted in the establishment of a socio-political system, over the last 63 years since independence, whereby various complex divergent and seemingly contradictory ideologies have jostled with each other for supremacy, but ultimately the balance has been restored with the revival of Centrist Congress Party.

India is a land of diverse religions, varied castes, conflicting ideologies and regional disparities. Over the last 63 years since Independence from The British Hands, we have seen several major socio-political upheavels, which has brought about temporary social confusion but all these events cumulatively have ultimately given a firm direction to the mode of social progress and national ideology.

The First major ideological strain of Indian System is represented by the all encompassing, all embracing and pan inclusive Congress Party. It is the Grand Old Party of India, one which spearheaded the Freedom Struggle, the party of Father of The Nation – Mahatma Gandhi. It accommodates all the castes and communities within it’s umbrella and all are welcome here, it pursues the policy of national development through social justice and secularism. The Congress Party is principally ardently secular and strongly feels for the downtrodden sections of society – namely Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs, Minorities, poors among the upper castes, and other weaker sections like Women and Handicapped persons. The party wants to dramatically improve their lot in a short span of time through caste based and gender based reservations, and other massive social welfare schemes. However Party carries out this transition through peaceful means without disturbing social harmony.

THE HINDU BACKLASH

Then we have the BJP, the political wing of Sangh Parivar. This party is strongly Pro-Hindu (Majority Community) and tends to end religious discrimination against Hindus in India via it’core ideology. This includes construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya (On the ruins of a Mosque), abolition of special status to the Only muslim dominated province of India – Jammu and Kashmir, total national ban on cow slaughter, implementation of Uniform Civil code in place of obsolete gender discriminating individual laws of religious communities. Etc. The BJP is primarily supported by the Brahmins and other Upper Castes but now has expanded into OBCs as well.

BJP tacitly supports strong nationalism and wants tough policy against Terrorism and it’s sponserer Pakistan.

AMBEDKARITE/SOCIALIST REVOLUTION

The third strain in the Indian Political set up is the movement of the Backward castes and dalits. Technically this is most appropriately represented by Bahujan Samaj Party which calls upon all Non Upper (Oppressed) Castes (85% of the Population, which includes Muslims and Christians) to unite against the oppressing Upper Castes (15% of the population) and seize all power and authority from them. But this Lofty Goal has failed to find takers beyond Uttar Pradesh. So we have alternatively the Samajwadis or the Socialists, who tend to end caste discrimination but in a more conciliatory manner and with less of militancy. They have the support of many of the Backward castes, who are lesser radical on caste ellimination than Dalits. We have many of such regional parties like Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janta Dal, DMK, etc,

THE FOURTH DIMENSION

There is another fourth semi major dimension – the communists. But they could capture only pockets of India and could never dominated the imagination of the Hindi Heartland as their emphasis was on economic class rather than on social caste.

THE SOCIAL BASIS OF THE THREE STRAINS

While the Hindu Movement is supported by mainly upper castes, although it has the potential to invoke all Hindus. But of late it has gained support among intermediate castes and OBCs as well, specially in the sates  of Gujarat and Karnataka. Congress was supported by all divergent communities, in fact till a long time after independence it’s core constituency included the ideologically divergent groups of Brahmins, Dalits and Muslims. This clearly shows the universality of this party. OBC vote is completely divided. Some support BJP ( Like in Karnataka, Gujarat, MP, Rajasthan, etc) while others vote for Socialists and few go for BSP.

THE THREE STRAINS – HOW EACH ONE FARES

BJP represents AGGRESSIVE NATIONALISM with elements of communalism, according to some the party represents an ideology which is fearful of a strong socialist-backward movement, which would snatch away all priveledges and clout of upper castes and so intentionally rakes up the issue of strong nation and religion so that all Hindus unite and Brahmins and other upper castes retain their clout. It is also perceived that this party is unduly proud of Indian culture and wants to emphasize it at the complete cost of Muslim Contribution made in this Country. Whatever may be the allegations, but this is true that minorities do not feel safe under it’s rule, so it’s religious policy is unacceptable.

The Socialist and The Ambedkarite Movements are one again exclusive movements. They symbolize SOCIAL JUSTICE, but this is done with a sense of vengeance or blocking of opportunities for the upper castes. They lack vision and totally exclude capitalism as a means of economic advancement. In the name of secularism, these parties have  approved, endorsed and encouraged Muslim Communalism. These are unacceptable as well.

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS - THE NATURAL OUTCOME AS THE LESSER EVIL

Congress today suffers from many drawbacks. But it is the lesser evil and in matters of ideology, best suited for Indian Nation. BJP’S rule affects Muslims, makes them fearful and insecure. While Socialist/Ambedkar parties hamper the growth of the nation and makes life more difficult for upper castes as their opportunities are blocked due to reservation policy. Congress is the natural national fallout.

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