Caste dynamics are a crucial factor in India s politics, influencing alliances and strategies. Rajya Sabha member Parshottam Rupala recently faced controversy over his comments on Kshatriyas, but the BJP has supported him. Caste-based movements, like Patel quota agitations and Dalit protests, have reshaped Gujarat s political landscape. Despite Kshatriya protests against Rupala, the BJP has stood by him, highlighting its focus on non-Kshatriya votes. The party s ability to navigate caste dynamics remains central to its electoral strategy in Gujarat.
Rajasthan is set to witness a cabinet expansion today, with 18 to 20 MLAs expected to take oaths as ministers. The expansion aims to address caste and regional dynamics in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
CJI D Y Chandrachud said that when the state does not intervene to correct social inequalities, ‘it automatically allows communities with social and economic capital to exercise dominance’ over historically marginalised communities.
Shunting the Nation by Aniruddha Bose explores the tumultuous decade in South Asian history from 1939 to 1949 through the lens of Indian railway workers. The book delves into their experiences during World War II, the freedom struggle, partition, and class conflicts. While it offers a vivid ground-level view of historical events, it relies heavily on elite biases and organized labor actions, overlooking everyday resistance strategies, gender, and caste dynamics. Despite its limitations, the book provides valuable insights into critical labour experiences and subaltern perspectives, making it an important contribution to South Asian history.