Ambedkar Schedule Caste and Indian Politics

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There are reserved constituencies in both Parliamentary and State Assembly elections. Scheduled Castes (usually abbreviated as SC), and Scheduled Tribes (usually abbreviated as ST) are castes and tribes included in the schedules published by the government to indicate these castes' and tribes' backward status. Until the 1970s, Dalit political aspirations were sought to be met through the Republican Party of India (RPI), which was derived from Ambedkar's Scheduled Caste Federation, and through scheduled caste leaders co-opted in the political mainstream - principally, the Congress party. While the RPI was rendered largely ineffective by internal strife, mainstream political parties did little more for Dalits than exalt them as vote banks. Dalit empowerment is Mayawati's lasting contribution to the Indian polity. Now, however, that empowerment needs to find expression in a new manifesto extending beyond reservations and quotas, to make Dalits equal partners in India's development story. This comprehensive book describes, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's role in the Indian politics of caste ism as very significant in the history of our country. He wanted to secure for them political, social and economic justice with equality, liberty and fraternity as the principles of life. This book will be useful for students of political science and general readers interested cost politics.

Debashish Bhasin is a scholar of Indian politics and history. After graduating, he worked as a journalist for several years before turning to academia. Bhasin is currently a professor of political science. Bhasin's research interests include the history of caste in India, the Dalit movement, and Indian politics. His work has been published in leading academic journals, and he has also written for newspapers and magazines. Bhasin is a frequent speaker at conferences and seminars on Indian politics and history. In addition to his academic work, Bhasin is also involved in several social justice organizations. He is a member of the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights and the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations. Bhasin is also a founding member of the Ambedkar International Centre, a research institute dedicated to the study of Ambedkar's life and work.

Chitragandha Adapa serves as a guest lecturer for various universities across South Asia. She has pursued her PhD in Political Science from the University of Hyderabad. Adapa's research interests include the history of caste in India, the Dalit movement, and Indian politics. Her work has been published in leading academic journals, and she has also written for newspapers and magazines. Adapa is a respected scholar and activist who has made significant contributions to the study of Indian politics and history. Adapa is an active speaker at conferences and seminars on Indian politics and history. She is also a founding member of the Ambedkar International Centre, a research institute dedicated to the study of Ambedkar's life and work.

Until the 1970s, Dalit political aspirations were sought to be met through the Republican Party of India (RPI), which was derived from Ambedkar's Scheduled Caste Federation, and through scheduled caste leaders co-opted in the political mainstream - principally, the Congress party. While the RPI was rendered largely ineffective by internal strife, mainstream political parties did little more for Dalits than exalt them as vote banks. Wishing to move beyond the complacent and self-seeking politics of the RPI and Congress, idealistic young Dalits saw a model in the militant Black Panther movement in the US; while more sober elements, exemplified by Kanshi Ram, chose a path between radicalism and tame collaboration. In India, a number of political positions and university posts are held for specific groups of the population, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and women in some cases.

There are reserved constituencies in both Parliamentary and State Assembly elections. Scheduled Castes (usually abbreviated as SC), and Scheduled Tribes (usually abbreviated as ST) are castes and tribes included in the schedules published by the government to indicate these castes' and tribes' backward status. All voters, including Non-SC, Non- ST community voters, have the right to vote for these candidates belonging to SC or ST candidate, if contesting from their constituency. About 25% of Indian population belongs to SC/ST communities. About the same ratio of seats are reserved for them in the Parliament. In each state, that number will depend on the percentage of population and percentage of SC/ST amongst them. In local body elections, like municipal polls, in addition to SC/ST, other Backward Class candidates also have reserved seats. The constituencies are allotted by lottery system. In the case of municipal and other local elections, the constituencies are known as wards. Thus, there may be as many wards or constituencies as the number of elected seats in the elected body. Reserved constituencies are constituencies in which seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Tribes based on the size of their population. In the earlier history of India under British rule, a separate electorate meant that not only were the seats reserved for a specific group, but voting for the reserved constituency was allowed for only members of that specific community. For example, only Muslims could vote for Muslim candidates in Muslim reserved constituencies. Dalit empowerment is Mayawati's lasting contribution to the Indian polity. She has "given a sense of self-confidence to the community that even Ambedkar or Kanshi Ram could never give," says Bose. Now, however, that empowerment needs to find expression in a new manifesto extending beyond reservations and quotas, to make Dalits equal partners in India's development story. In the light of deepening caste fissures in the country, it is not surprising that the baton of Ambedkarite politics is passing to agitationists such as the Bhim Army, and youthful protestors like those in Bhima Koregaon.

This comprehensive book describes, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's role in the Indian politics of caste ism as very significant in the history of our country. It can be examined by knowing his achievements for the dehumanized untouchable in particular, and for the country as a whole. He had before him the aim of social deliverance, political safeguards and human rights for the untouchables. He wanted to secure for them political, social and economic justice with equality, liberty and fraternity as the principles of life. He had come to the conclusion that the constitutional safeguards were necessary to protect them from the oppression of caste and untouchability in the Indian Society. This book will be useful for students of political science and general readers interested cost politics.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages