Annihilation of Caste Made Impossible

Hindustan Times

1. Introduction and Context

This editorial critically examines the persistence of caste in India despite constitutional guarantees, decades of affirmative action, and political mobilization around social justice.
The author traces the evolution of caste-based reservations, the impact of the Mandal Commission, and the rise of caste-centred electoral politics.

The central argument: caste has not weakened — it has reorganized itself and become further institutionalised, particularly through political incentives, state welfare frameworks, and identity-based coalitions.

2. Key Arguments Presented

a. Constitutional Vision vs Political Reality

The author highlights:

• Ambedkar envisioned caste annihilation, not caste-preservation.
• Reservations, if not time-bound, can unintentionally perpetuate caste identities.
• Political actors continuously expanded reservation categories — often for electoral leverage rather than genuine justice.

Thus, constitutional ideals were overshadowed by political opportunism.

b. Mandal Politics Reinforced Caste Identities

According to the author:

• The Mandal Commission entrenched caste consciousness by categorizing OBCs and solidifying caste as an administrative unit.
• What started as corrective justice became a political power tool.
• Caste turned into a political currency used to structure electoral coalitions.

Mandal politics strengthened — not weakened — the caste framework.

c. Caste as a Strategic Political Instrument

The article argues that:

• Reservation politics created new caste competitions and rivalries.
• Governments expanded quotas beyond constitutional intent.
• Electoral mobilization relies heavily on caste arithmetic, normalizing caste categories in public life.

Thus, caste transitioned from a social hierarchy to a modern political instrument.

d. Caste Institutionalised in State Machinery

The author claims:

• Welfare schemes, electoral lists, census categories, and administrative frameworks are built around caste.
• This bureaucratic entrenchment institutionalises caste rather than dismantling it.

Hence, caste annihilation becomes structurally difficult.

e. Caste Annihilation Appears Distant

The article concludes:

• Political incentives sustain caste.
• State institutions depend on caste identification.
• Social structures reinforce caste behaviour.

Therefore, Ambedkar’s vision remains unrealized, and caste persists in reconfigured forms.

3. Author’s Stance

The stance is strongly critical, radical, and Ambedkarite.

The author believes:

• Caste cannot be dismantled under present political and administrative frameworks.
• Reservation mechanisms, though necessary, have been misused for vote-bank politics.
• Politicians perpetuate caste identities instead of weakening them.

Tone: skeptical, analytical, and deeply critical of current political structures.

4. Bias and Limitations

Bias

• Clear left-critical and anti-establishment tone.
• Strong Ambedkarite ideological leaning — prioritizes social annihilation of caste over political pragmatism.
• Tends to view political expansion of quotas as manipulative.

Limitations

• Underplays positive impacts of reservations (SC/ST/OBC middle class growth).
• Ignores deep socio-economic inequalities that still necessitate affirmative action.
• Overlooks rural caste violence and exclusion that operate outside electoral politics.
• Offers critique but not alternative models for reform.

5. Pros and Cons of the Argument

Pros

• Historically grounded (Ambedkar, Mandal, constitutional debates).
• Sharp political insight into caste mobilization.
• Exposes how institutional frameworks sustain caste.
• Raises critical questions about the future of social justice.

Cons

• Overgeneralization of political motives.
• Pessimistic tone underestimates ongoing social mobility.
• Lacks policy depth or alternatives.
• Ignores intersectional realities and empirical improvements.

6. Policy Implications

1. Reform Affirmative Action Mechanisms
• Periodic socio-economic review of caste lists.
• Reduce political influence on inclusion/exclusion.
2. Enhance Equality Measures
• Universal access to quality education.
• Targeted scholarships, anti-discrimination enforcement.
3. Strengthen Anti-Caste Legislation
• Effective implementation of PoA Act.
• Anti-discrimination in schools, colleges, workplaces.
4. Introduce Class-Based Supplements
• Class criteria alongside caste to reduce internal elite capture.
5. Promote Social Integration
• Mixed housing, common public spaces, integrated schooling.
6. Reduce Political Incentives for Caste Politics
• Electoral reforms to restrict caste-based appeals.
• Transparent candidate selection.

7. Alignment with UPSC GS Papers

GS Paper I – Indian Society

• Caste system
• Social empowerment
• Changing social structures

GS Paper II – Polity & Governance

• Constitutional equality
• Reservation policy
• State role in social justice

GS Paper IV – Ethics

• Ambedkar’s philosophy
• Ethics of equality and justice
• Identity politics and moral governance

Essay

• Caste in modern India
• Social justice vs political mobilisation
• Identity and democracy

8. Real-World Impact

If the author’s concerns hold:

• Caste-based political mobilisation may intensify.
• Reservations may expand but fail to uplift the most marginalized.
• Caste competition may grow, fragmenting society.
• Electoral politics will remain caste-centric.

However, the pessimism overlooks:

• Rising backward caste/marginalized middle classes.
• Decreasing manual caste-based occupations.
• Greater mobility through education and urbanization.
• Reduction in atrocities in some states.

Caste reality is thus complex and evolving.

9. Conclusion and Future Perspective

The editorial provides a sharp critique of India’s caste politics, arguing that caste annihilation is difficult due to political incentives and institutional entrenchment.

While the critique is compelling, a more balanced perspective acknowledges the significant (though uneven) progress in social mobility and anti-discrimination frameworks.

Moving forward, India needs:

• deeper social reform
• educational equality
• political accountability
• reoriented affirmative action
• and anti-discrimination enforcement

Only a combination of social mindset change + structural reform can move India towards Ambedkar’s ideal of a casteless society.

Final Summary

“Annihilation of Caste Made Impossible” is a bold, analytical critique of how caste has evolved into a political instrument rather than fading away.
It argues that political mobilisation and identity-based policies have institutionalised caste, making its annihilation difficult.

For UPSC preparation, this editorial is extremely valuable for GS I (Society), GS II (Social Justice), GS IV (Ethics), and Essay, offering nuanced insights into caste politics and the contradictions of India’s social justice framework.