SOCIAL TRANSITION IN UP AND BIHAR

SOCIAL TRANSITION IN UP AND BIHAR

From brahminical strongholds to bastions of aggressive social justice to more egalatarian places with rapid economic development, the transition of UP and Bihar from feudalism to vibrancy marks a successful phase of social evolution, where India and the spirit of humanity are the ultimate victors.

It is said, the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in several respects represent the heart of India. The birthplaces of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna,the cradle of Jainism and Buddhism, and the cultural and political heartland of Indian subcontinent for hundreds of years, this historical advantage of the region continues to influence India’s destiny, so much so that for a long time it was beleived that no political party can capture Delhi, without conquering the politically crucial Lucknow (i.e. Uttar Pradesh).

Being the centre of religion and culture had also made UP and Bihar the stronghold of orthodoxy and conservatism. So much so that the polity and social milieu of UP and to a great extent Bihar remained for a very long time in the hands of Savarnas (A term which refers to the upper castes collectively, which are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Kayasthas and Vaishyas). But things began to change after the emergency phase. With the rise of backward caste politics, there was more assertivesness by these castes, which was the beginning of the end of upper caste predominance.

However the major turning point was the implementation of Mandal commission report by the V.P. Singh government in 1990. It created a virtual social furore. Upper castes strongly resented this provision of 27% reservation for Other Backward Castes in government jobs and educational institutes (which was in addition to the already existing 22.5% reservation for scheduled castes and tribes). This created a temporary social schism - a mutual ill feeling between the upper castes and backward castes. Castesim became rampant. Since OBCs and dalits had the numbers, it obviously meant their clout increased substantially.

Thus we had the rise of strongly pro-OBC and pro-dalit Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar and the coming of Lohiyaite and pro-backward Mulayam Singh Yadav in UP, who was followed by strongly anti-upper caste Mayawati, who still rules the state. Their rule changed completely the social dynamics of these two states. Dalits and OBCs were completely empowered and for the first time they felt strong and not shy and ashamed.

But since backwards (the poor castes) got so much power for the first time, the result was rampant corruption and deterioration of public ethics. It was a natural fallout of social evolution. However, it is clear from the example of Bihar that this too was just a passing phase. The landslide victory of the progressive, development minded, non-casteist leader Nitish Kumar in 2005 elections and then again in 2010, clearly sums up this trend.

It is quite clear that UP too is following this pattern. The popularity of Mayawati is waning, and Congress is gaining ground there. Congress will prove to be much better than BSP, SP or BJP since it does not confine itself to the narrow caste and communal agendas and has, at the state level, the likes of Salman Khursheed and others - dynamic leaders, who can put the state back on the development path. State voters are showing exhaustation with caste and communal politics, suggest latest trends.

This transition of these states from strong and orthodox brahminism to the age of Mandal was a need. Without correcting imbalanced social dynamics, the phase of egalatarian economic growth would not have been possible. The fight and rise of UP and Bihar is a good sign for India.

XXX