INDIAN POLITICAL ARENA: CASTE AND RELIGION BASED SEGMENTATION

Abstract

Political factors or conditions are dependent upon sociological variables. In India among sociological variables caste and religion play important role in politics. The caste system as well as religion determines the political structure of the Indian society. The social position of an individual determines his/her status in the society and this status divides the society in the categories of equality and inequality. This discrimination based on equality and inequality has existed since long time. In all types of human society, there are inequalities between individuals, men and women, the young and the old. To describe inequalities the sociologists speak of the existence of social stratification which can be defined as structured inequalities between different groupings of people based on class, caste, gender ,religion, etc. The present paper analyzes the influence of caste and religion in politics. The research paper highlights the adverse impact on social cohesion due to caste and religion driven politics in Indian society. The suggestions are also made in the research paper to overcome the barriers of caste and religion by promoting equal social rights and justice for the development of an integrated and cohesive society.