Caste Conflict | Sociology Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Reasons for Caste conflict in Bihar

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in Bihar, with around 80% of the population engaged in farming. However, the state has faced significant caste conflict due to failures in implementing land reforms and minimum wages for agricultural workers, particularly in Bhojpur district. Dalits and the lower rungs of the backward castes, who make up the majority of agricultural laborers, often have no assets. Successive governments have failed to break up large feudal landholdings and divide surplus land among the poor, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal accused of inaction on land reforms and of covertly supporting the Ranvir Sena. The situation has led to a sharpening agrarian crisis, with the oppressed classes refusing to be exploited. Upper castes, particularly Bhumihars, are known to own far more land than legally allowed, while lower caste families remain landless.

Land reforms

Land reforms have been a crucial issue in Bihar, where successive state governments have failed to implement them or provide minimum wages for agricultural laborers. This has led to conflicts, particularly in the Bhojpur district, where the CPI-ML has been advocating for the rights of landless laborers for over three decades. The majority of agricultural laborers in Bihar are Dalits and lower backward castes, who remain assetless due to the lack of land reforms.

• A study by the AN Sinha Institute in Patna revealed that approximately 61% of lower backward castes and 69.5% of scheduled castes in Bihar's central plains are landless. Furthermore, the Union Home Ministry team found that the state still had nearly 40 lakh landless laborers and nine lakh acres of undistributed land, indicating the need for land reform.
• The Ranvir Sena, a group opposed to land reforms, has been accused of trying to stall land reforms and reverse existing land redistribution efforts. Social scientist Arvind N Das claims that successive rulers of Bihar have aided the Sena in their quest. Despite the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the ruling party in Bihar, claiming to champion the cause of lower castes, they have been accused of inaction on land reforms and covertly supporting the Ranvir Sena.
• Das argues that the massacres in Bihar are more related to the worsening agrarian crisis than caste differences, as the oppressed communities are increasingly resisting exploitation. The Bihar Land Ceiling Act limits rural households to owning no more than seven hectares of land, but upper-caste landowners, particularly Bhumihars, are known to possess far more land than allowed. A Bihar government survey in 1999 found that most low-caste families were landless, while some upper-caste landlords owned more than 30 hectares each.
• The Human Rights Watch in New York states that a particularly violent phase of caste violence in Bihar began in the early 1970s, with a land-grab movement supported by left extremists. Sharecroppers started harvesting crops on upper-caste land, while Naxalite cadres burned grain storages and imposed economic blockades on lands that landlords forcibly prevented them from cultivating.

Inadequate police force

The State crime branch has recently revealed to the Government a concerning issue regarding the accumulation and usage of licensed firearms by private armies. This situation has arisen due to the lenient policy of granting arms licenses within the State, as well as allowing individuals to keep arms based on licenses obtained from other States. This has led to the creation of a challenging problem for the State police force.

• The police force in the State appears to be incapable of handling this situation, as demonstrated by the latest crime statistics, which show that an average of 16 persons are either killed, kidnapped, or looted in Bihar every hour. There are several reasons for the inefficiency and demoralization of the police force.
• One major factor is the police-public ratio. The national average stands at approximately 1.3 policemen per 10,000 citizens. However, in Bihar, there is a significantly lower ratio of only 0.9 policemen per 10,000 people. This means that there is barely one policeman available for every 10,000 citizens. In comparison, other backward States like Orissa and West Bengal have much better police-public ratios than Bihar.
• Furthermore, allegations of a connection between the police and the Ranvir Sena in Naxal killings have been made. A survey conducted by the People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) has claimed that the police actively participated in the killings of seven people by the Ranvir Sena in Ekwari. To support this accusation, the PUDR has cited observations made by the then Director General of Police in a police document, which states that there was a tendency among the police functionaries to encourage defense groups (Senas) to organize themselves in order to fight against the Naxalites. This approach led to the emergence of various caste Senas in Bihar and resulted in the very negation of police performance.

In conclusion, the State police force in Bihar is facing significant challenges in maintaining law and order, largely due to the inadequate police-public ratio, as well as alleged connections between the police and private armies. This situation calls for urgent reforms and improvements in the policing system in the State to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.

Political patronage

• Intelligence sources have indicated that the Ranveer Sena, a caste-based militia in India, receives support from influential Bhumihars belonging to various mainstream political parties. This support is both financial and moral, as the Sena represents the aspirations of those fighting against Naxalites. This claim was further substantiated by the recovery of a diary after the arrest of Ranveer Sena chief Brahmeswar Singh. The diary reportedly contains the names and contact information of several upper caste politicians, journalists, and police officers.
• The diary, along with a document outlining the Sena's structure, was found in the office of an affiliated organization, the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Kisan Mahasangh, in Patna, where Singh was arrested on August 29. Former Bihar Chief Minister and president of the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Laloo Prasad Yadav, has stated that the arrest of the Ranveer Sena chief could potentially be a political turning point, as it could expose the politicians who are connected with the organization.

Caste Clashes in South Tamil Nadu: A Deep-Rooted Social Issue

South Tamil Nadu has been witnessing a state of social unrest, with numerous incidents of violence recorded in recent years. The region is dominated by two castes - Maravars, an influential agricultural caste, and Pallars or Devendrakula Vellalars, an oppressed Dalit caste. The continuous violence in the region reveals a deep-rooted social problem that needs to be addressed.

• Emergence of Assertive Pallars: A small section of Pallars, who were once landless agricultural laborers, have gained access to education and government jobs, resulting in their empowerment. This development has led to the passing of land to a few Pallars and the relative affluence of certain Dalit villages. The emergence of political organizations among Pallars has also contributed to their assertion.
• Discrimination Against Dalits: South Tamil Nadu has a long history of discrimination against Dalits. Many village wells and temples remain out of bounds for them, while separate places of worship and deities exist. Municipal schools cater exclusively to Dalit children, and they continue to be served separately in tea stalls.
• Maravars: The Dominant Caste: Maravars have been the main beneficiaries of land reforms and government agricultural policies. They have gained access to institutionalized credit and subsidized agricultural inputs like fertilizers, seeds, water, and electricity. A significant number of Maravars have also earned quick money through illicit brewery, contract works, and money lending.
• Caste Clashes: A Closer Look: The caste clashes that have taken place since 1995 need to be studied in the context of the assertive Pallars and the dominant Maravars. A series of violent incidents have occurred, resulting in the loss of lives and property. One notable feature of these riots is the attempt by Dalits to defend themselves and counter-attack. However, the state machinery and polity have been unable to respond effectively to the situation.
• Role of Police and Bureaucracy: The prejudiced behavior of the police against Dalits has been a major concern. Midnight raids in Dalit villages and brutal attacks on Dalit men and women have been reported. The failure of prompt police action has led to further violence and unrest in the region.
• Unemployment and Youth Involvement: A significant factor contributing to the caste clashes is the involvement of unemployed youths from both castes. The frustration and despair resulting from unemployment have driven these youths to participate in gang violence without considering the consequences.
• Need for Structural Transformation: There is an urgent need for structural transformation to address the caste clashes in South Tamil Nadu. This can be achieved through drastic land reforms that change the production relations and eliminate the existing social conditions that deprive people of realizing their human potentialities. The violence of the oppressed class should be distinguished from that of the dominant class, as the former is used only in the interest of the emancipation of humanity.

Conclusion

The caste conflict in Bihar and South Tamil Nadu is a deep-rooted issue resulting from failed land reforms, political patronage, and discrimination. The lack of proper policing and involvement of unemployed youth exacerbates the situation. To address these issues, there is a need for structural transformation through land reforms and improving the policing system. Additionally, addressing unemployment and working towards social equity can help mitigate caste-based conflicts and ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens in these regions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Caste Conflict

What are the main reasons for caste conflict in Bihar?

The main reasons for caste conflict in Bihar include failures in implementing land reforms, providing minimum wages for agricultural laborers, inadequate police force, political patronage of caste-based militias, and deep-rooted social issues.

How has the lack of land reforms contributed to caste tensions in Bihar?

The lack of land reforms has left a large percentage of lower backward castes and scheduled castes landless, leading to increased frustration and resentment. Upper-caste landowners often possess more land than legally allowed, which exacerbates tensions between the different castes.

What role does the police force play in caste conflicts in Bihar?

The police force in Bihar faces challenges in maintaining law and order due to an inadequate police-public ratio and alleged connections between the police and private armies, such as the Ranvir Sena. This situation calls for urgent reforms and improvements in the policing system in the state.

How are political parties involved in caste conflicts in Bihar?

Intelligence sources indicate that the Ranveer Sena, a caste-based militia, receives support from influential Bhumihars belonging to various mainstream political parties. This support is both financial and moral, as the Sena represents the aspirations of those fighting against Naxalites.

What factors contribute to caste clashes in South Tamil Nadu?

Caste clashes in South Tamil Nadu are influenced by the emergence of assertive Pallars, discrimination against Dalits, dominance of Maravars, involvement of unemployed youths in gang violence, and prejudiced behavior of the police against Dalits. Structural transformation through land reforms and addressing social conditions that deprive people of realizing their human potentialities are needed to address these clashes.