Politics in Caste:

When we talk about "politics in caste," we are referring to the influence and role of caste in political activities, decision-making processes, and power dynamics. Caste plays a significant role in shaping political strategies, alliances, and voting patterns in many societies, particularly in countries like India.

1. Caste-based voting:
Caste-based voting is a common phenomenon in many societies where people tend to vote for candidates belonging to their own caste or caste-based political parties. This practice stems from a sense of identity and solidarity among members of a particular caste.

2. Reservation policies:
Politics in caste also involves the implementation of reservation policies, which aim to provide opportunities and representation to historically disadvantaged castes. These policies allocate a certain percentage of seats in educational institutions, government jobs, and political positions to individuals from these castes.

3. Caste-based mobilization:
Political parties often mobilize voters based on caste affiliations to gain electoral support. They may use caste as a means to consolidate their vote bank by appealing to specific caste-based issues, grievances, or aspirations.

4. Caste-based alliances:
In politics, caste-based alliances are common, where political parties form coalitions or join hands with other parties representing specific castes to maximize their electoral prospects. These alliances are formed based on the understanding that combining caste-based support can lead to electoral success.

Caste in Politics:

On the other hand, "caste in politics" refers to the presence and influence of caste within the structure and functioning of political institutions. It focuses on how caste affects the composition of political parties, leadership positions, policy-making, and the overall dynamics of governance.

1. Caste-based representation:
Caste in politics highlights the issue of representation, as certain castes may be overrepresented or underrepresented in political institutions. This can impact the decision-making process and the ability of marginalized castes to have their voices heard.

2. Caste-based discrimination:
Caste in politics also sheds light on the persistence of caste-based discrimination within political institutions. Despite constitutional provisions and affirmative action policies, discrimination based on caste continues to exist in various forms, limiting the opportunities and participation of certain castes.

3. Caste-based power dynamics:
Caste in politics influences power dynamics, with dominant castes often holding a significant share of political power and resources. This can lead to the perpetuation of social and economic inequalities and hinder the empowerment of marginalized castes.

4. Caste-based policy-making:
Caste considerations can influence policy-making processes, as political leaders may prioritize the interests of certain castes over others. This can result in policies that perpetuate caste-based disparities or fail to address the diverse needs of society as a whole.

In conclusion, "politics in caste" refers to the use of caste for political purposes, such as voting patterns, mobilization, and alliances, while "caste in politics" refers to the presence and impact of caste within political institutions, including representation, discrimination, power dynamics, and policy-making. Both concepts are interconnected and shape the socio-political landscape of a society.