Chistophe JAFFRELOT, Jasmine ZERININI-BROTEL - The Rise of “Low Castes” in Northern Indian Politics

Pouvoirs n°90 - L’Inde - septembre 1999 - p.67-87

“The largest democracy in the world” has long suffered from a social deficit linked to the subordinated position of inferior castes. While they have managed to impose themselves on the political scene in Southern India, they have remained outrageously underrepresented in the northern part of the country. In the 1990s they have been able to catch up thanks to the “Mandal affair”. However, this development remains unequal in the various states. Bihar is in the lead, followed by Madhya, Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, if one uses as a measure the number of members of low caste representatives in the regional assemblies and government. All the parties do not show the same openness toward the inferior castes. The Congress Party and the Bharatiya Party were far behind in that respect until the more recent period. They seem now to be following the road opened up by the left wing groups such as Janata Dal. If this development continues it could lead to a total renewal of the political elite in Northern India. Résumé

Référence électonique : Chistophe JAFFRELOT, Jasmine ZERININI-BROTEL, "The Rise of “Low Castes” in Northern Indian Politics", Pouvoirs, revue française d’études constitutionnelles et politiques, n°90, 1999, p.67-87. Consulté le 02-06-2012. URL : http://www.revue-pouvoirs.fr/The-Rise-of-Low-Castes-in-Northern.html