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Political mobilization refers to the process by which social groups organize themselves to pursue collective political interests, assert rights, or influence governance. In India, mobilization has historically been shaped by the social structure—including caste, religion, language, region, class, and kinship networks. Independent India’s democratic framework created institutional spaces for such mobilization, transforming traditional social hierarchies into vehicles of political participation.
As Rajni Kothari observed, Indian politics is characterized by a “party of consensus” transitioning into a system of contested interests, reflecting the mobilization of diverse social groups over time.
1. Early Phase (1950s–1960s): Congress Dominance and Integrative Mobilization
- During the initial decades, the Congress Party functioned as a unifying umbrella, incorporating peasants, landlords, middle classes, and urban elites.
- Mobilization was largely nationalist and integrative, emphasizing modernization, secularism, and development over identity politics.
- Caste and religion existed as potential cleavages but were subordinated to a broader nation-building project.
- Thinkers like Kothari and Srinivas noted that early mobilization aimed at consensus-oriented governance, ensuring political stability in newly independent India.
2. Middle Phase (1967–1980s): Fragmentation along Caste, Region, and Religion
With the decline of Congress hegemony, India witnessed the rise of caste, regional, and religious mobilizations:
Caste-based Mobilization
- Mandal politics and the rise of OBC parties (Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal) reflected the increasing political assertion of lower castes.
- M. N. Srinivas’ concept of Sanskritization explains upward mobility as lower castes adopted rituals of higher castes, creating new political consciousness.
- Andre Béteille noted that caste hierarchies shaped access to land, education, and resources, thereby determining political influence.
Regional Mobilization
- Formation of linguistic states (1956) led to ethno-linguistic political assertion.
- Regional parties (DMK, Akali Dal, Telugu Desam) emerged to protect local culture, language, and autonomy.
Religious Mobilization
- Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu organizations began to influence local and national politics.
- Identity-based mobilization, though less dominant than caste or region, set the stage for later religious political movements.
3. Later Phase (1990s–Present): Identity, Issue-Based, and Media-Driven Mobilization
- Expansion of democracy allowed marginalized groups—Dalits, women, Adivasis—to mobilize politically.
- The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) exemplifies Dalit assertion, while women’s organizations and social movements challenge gender hierarchies.
- Globalization and IT revolution facilitated new forms of mobilization:
- Urban middle-class campaigns on anti-corruption, governance, and environmental issues (e.g., Anna Hazare movement, anti-CAA protests).
- Rise of religious nationalism:
- The Hindutva movement, including campaigns for the Ram Temple and related identity politics, demonstrates the increased salience of religion in contemporary mobilization.
- Media and digital platforms have reshaped mobilization patterns, allowing rapid and widespread participation, transcending traditional boundaries of caste, region, or class.
4. Sociological Interpretation of Change
- Rudolph and Rudolphs describe Indian politics as “modernity of tradition”, where caste, kinship, and religion adapt to democratic frameworks.
- Andre Béteille emphasizes the interplay of status, class, and caste in shaping political representation.
- Yogendra Yadav calls contemporary India the site of a “second democratic upsurge”, characterized by empowerment of previously marginalized groups.
Changes observed over 60–70 years:
| Aspect | 1950s–1960s | 1980s–Present |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of mobilization | Nation, development, elite consensus | Caste, religion, region, issue-based, identity-driven |
| Character | Integrative, elite-led | Fragmented, populist, media-driven |
| Agents | Congress, state institutions | Regional parties, social movements, digital activism |
| Goal | Nation-building, modernization | Representation, recognition, empowerment |
| Ideology | Secular, socialist | Identity, neoliberal, religious-nationalist |
5. Illustrations
- Caste mobilization: BSP in Uttar Pradesh; rise of OBC leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav.
- Regional mobilization: Formation of Telangana state; DMK in Tamil Nadu.
- Issue-based mobilization: Narmada Bachao Andolan, anti-corruption movement.
- Religious mobilization: Ram Janmabhoomi movement; rise of Hindutva politics.
Conclusion
The social bases of political mobilization in India have evolved significantly:
- From nationalist, integrative, elite-led politics in the early decades,
- To caste, region, religion, and issue-based mobilization in later periods.
Contemporary mobilization reflects a dynamic interplay of tradition and modernity, where previously marginalized groups have gained representation, and digital and media platforms accelerate participation.
Political mobilization in India, therefore, is both a mirror of social structure and a driver of social transformation, continuously reshaping democracy.
As Rajni Kothari aptly noted, India’s democracy thrives on the complex negotiation between social diversity and political integration.