Highlight the positive and negative impacts of casteism with regard to political expression.
Ans. Caste division is special to India. Members of the same caste group are supposed to form a social community. Casteism plays an important role in Indian politics. When parties choose candidates in election or form government, they keep in mind the caste composition of the electorate and select candidatd rtim different castes to satisfy the electorate.
Sometimes, this caste politics gives us inefficient leaders which is not good for our democracy. Our Constitution has prohibited any caste-based discrimination. But for their own interest, political parties favour casteism in politics.
Besides this negative impact, casteism has also positive impact to politics. Universal Adult Franchise and the principle of one-person-one-vote brought new consciousness among the people of castes that were hitherto treated as inferior and low. In this sense, caste politics has helped people from the Dalit and the OBC castes to gain better access to decision-making. Several political and non-political organisations have been demanding for the end of discrimination against these castes and more dignity and opportunities for these castes in our society.