Social Caste, Economic Class and Reservation– A case study in West Bengal (original) (raw)

Caste-based reservations have attracted considerable controversy in Indian politics. Have reservations been a useful tool in mitigating the effects of long-standing social and economic inequality on democratic performance?

Caste-based reservations in India is a form of quota-based affirmative action, aimed to facilitate for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), as the primary beneficiaries of the reservation policies under the Indian Constitution. The proponents of caste-based reservation policy emphasize its symbolic importance which is for democracy to be representative and inclusive through fair distribution of power. The apparent motive behind legalization of affirmative action as recommended by Mandal’s Commission was to restore the past social inequalities, thus implementing caste-based reservations in education and bureaucracy. Mandal Commission report, a milestone in institutionalization of caste-reservation policy, has reinforced caste solidarity as the salient motive of voting in India thus executing it as an instrument of vote bank politics. Further analysis reveals that restoration of socio-economic inequalities were not the primary objectives of caste-based reservation, neither it aimed to eliminate casteism or define the objectives of the policy, but create an illusion of power. Through the analysis of India’s Northern states, the most populous state of Utter Pradesh (UP) specifically, this essay will demonstrate that changes in caste compositions of state government have not lead to improvement and equalization of socio-economic positions of individuals. Moreover, it will argue that caste, an ambiguous concept and instigator of stratification of Indian society, fosters the practices of corruptions and clientelism on both political and individuals levels.

IMPACT OF CASTE BASED RESERVATION SYSTEM ON DEVELOPMENT AND EQUALITY – SPECIAL REFERENCE OF INDIA

This paper empirically examines the well known caste based reservation system of India. Caste based reservation in every economic activity is a significant attribute of Indian economy. Here were applied a special kind of socialism in which recognition of weaker section was through the social background. Here fix a quota for scheduled castes in every government social security scheme as well as development projects. This paper examines the economic output of this development strategy through the growth rate of GDP and inequality/poverty in India comparison to other developing nations of same social problems.

Historical Background and Development Of Reservation In India: An Analysis

The varna or caste system has been imbibed in Indian culture since time immemorial. Hindu society is divided into four Varna, or classes, a convention which had its origins in the Rig Veda, the first and most important set of hymns in Hindu scripture which dates back to 1500-1000 B.C. 1 At the top of the hierarchy are the Brahmins, or priests, followed by the Kshatriyas, or warriors. The Vaisyas, the farmers and artisans, constitute the third class. At the bottom are the Shudras, the class responsible for serving the three higher groups. Finally, the Untouchables fall completely outside of this system. It is for this reason that the untouchables have also been termed a Varna (" no class "). The paper intends to highlight the conceptual development of reservation in colonial India.

Caste and Reservation in India

International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, 2021

Reservations in India, specifically, in the context of social and educational backward classes (SEBC) have been undergoing constitutional setbacks in recent years. The increasing politicization and subsequent echoes of scraping down reservations in appointments and promotions to SC, and STs, sporadic discontinuation of fellowships for socially backward students, absence of accurate data on backlog vacancies, reserved positions vacant in employment, and finally, in most cases under-representation in the 49.5-50 per cent quota out of which 15 per cent for SCs, 7.5 per cent to STs and 27 per cent to OBCs that have been earmarked, lays bare the institutional breach in the promise of social justice. Reservation in this context, calls for a renewed perspective on how and why it not only suffers alienation and conflicts from within the minority sections it so represents but increasingly projects out as exclusive and exclusionary a category to the majority. The paper attempts to project the double bind within which reservation attempts to articulate the voice of the non-represented. The paper further draws in the recent judicial judgment of the Uttarakhand High Court in matters of promotion, which arguably bear out contradictory responses to the reservation, analyzing in the process a decadal shift in the substantive power of reservation that is being increasingly understood to be a threat to the majoritarian class and caste interests.

The Case for Reservation on Income over Caste in India

This paper aims to understand and demystify the caste politics and the system of reservations for historically oppressed castes / classes in the Indian education and job market. We also carry out a study on the World Value Survey to understand attitudes of various castes towards societal issues and finally ask if reservation by caste is an outdated idea and if we should move to reservation by income instead.

Deprivation in Socio-Economic Status of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in West Bengal: A Geographical Investigation

2020

There are evidences that Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are backward in India. In the era of inclusive development, it is important to develop all the social groups equally. This study is conducted in order to investigate spatial pattern of socio-economic conditions of SCs and STs and deprivation of SCs and STs in West Bengal. In this regard, three objectives have been set. Firstly, to study regional pattern of socio-economic status among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in West Bengal. Secondly, to find causative factors for backwardness among SCs and STs. Thirdly, to suggest remedial measures for emancipation of backwardness in the state. Firstly, a simple percentage method is adopted to study regional pattern in socio-economic condition among SCs and STs and their backwardness as well. In addition, a number of figures and tables are used for depiction of the same. Secondly, a Composite Index is constructed to explore socio-economic development pattern of S...

Caste Inequality, Land Relations and Agrarian Distress in Contemporary Agrarian Economy of Bardhaman, West Bengal

CONTEMPORARY VOICE OF DALIT, 2019

The contemporary agrarian economy of rural West Bengal is characterized by distinct division of the farming community along caste and class lines. Unlike the belief that the communist regime in the state has significantly reduced instances of caste and class inequalities, the present article based on a fieldwork in Paarhaati village of Memary II block of Purba Bardhaman district argues in favour of the persistence of such inequalities till date. With the help of narratives collected and instances captured in a year-long fieldwork in the village, the present article attempts to bring forth the existence of domination of economically and politically powerful castes of landowners, deprivation of agricultural and landless labourers, formation of factions at the local party level, lack of initiative from the panchayat and increasing intervention of merchants, traders and middlemen that is hindering social, economic and political developments in these regions. The article argues that the 'change' proclaimed by the new regime has done nothing exceptional for the contemporary rural economy than the previous regime.

Caste-based reservations and human development in India

2007

Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India K S Chalam Caste-based reservations have existed in India for more than a century. Initially introduced by the British to bring equality of opportunity in education, reservation was later extended to other sectors of the development process to overcome the problem of economic inequalities attributed to caste. Even today, concepts like affirmative action and quotas are being debated to justify reservation. This book provides a comprehensive assessment of the impact of caste-based reservation on human development in India, taking into consideration the time series data. The book also analyses the impact of caste-based reservations on the target groups, as well as on major human development indices. An alternative strategy of applying the democratic principle of caste-based reservation is also discussed. Download Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India ...pdf Read Online Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in Ind ...pdf Download and Read Free Online Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India K S Chalam Download and Read Free Online Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India K S Chalam From reader reviews: Kristen Self: Book is to be different for every single grade. Book for children until finally adult are different content. As it is known to us that book is very important normally. The book Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India has been making you to know about other expertise and of course you can take more information. It is quite advantages for you. The guide Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India is not only giving you far more new information but also to be your friend when you truly feel bored. You can spend your personal spend time to read your guide. Try to make relationship while using book Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India. You never experience lose out for everything when you read some books. Maryann Carson: Hey guys, do you desires to finds a new book to see? May be the book with the title Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India suitable to you? The particular book was written by famous writer in this era. Often the book untitled Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in Indiais one of several books that everyone read now. This book was inspired many people in the world. When you read this book you will enter the new dimension that you ever know before. The author explained their concept in the simple way, consequently all of people can easily to know the core of this e-book. This book will give you a great deal of information about this world now. So that you can see the represented of the world in this particular book. Clorinda Combs: People live in this new day time of lifestyle always attempt to and must have the time or they will get lot of stress from both lifestyle and work. So , when we ask do people have extra time, we will say absolutely of course. People is human not really a huge robot. Then we inquire again, what kind of activity have you got when the spare time coming to a person of course your answer may unlimited right. Then do you try this one, reading books. It can be your alternative throughout spending your spare time, the particular book you have read is definitely Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India. Deanna Jackson: Reading can called imagination hangout, why? Because when you are reading a book mainly book entitled Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India your thoughts will drift away trough every dimension, wandering in each aspect that maybe unfamiliar for but surely can be your mind friends. Imaging each and every word written in a book then become one application form conclusion and explanation that will maybe you never get previous to. The Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India giving you yet another experience more than blown away your thoughts but also giving you useful info for your better life within this era. So now let us teach you the relaxing pattern the following is your body and mind are going to be pleased when you are finished reading it, like winning a game. Do you want to try this extraordinary investing spare time activity? Download and Read Online Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India K S Chalam #AKOGYDTB2HF Read Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India by K S Chalam for online ebook Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India by K S Chalam Free PDF d0wnl0ad, audio books, books to read, good books to read, cheap books, good books, online books, books online, book reviews epub, read books online, books to read online, online library, greatbooks to read, PDF best books to read, top books to read Caste-Based Reservations and Human Development in India by K S Chalam books to read online.