The Right and the Left: Contemporary India and the crises in Indian Democracy

Abstract

Abstract

The last sixty odd years or so have been arguably a period in which Indian democracy despite severe limitations has established itself in the mainstream of political activity. It has been able to successfully involve a great number of the population in the governance process and despite tremendous political opposition from vested interest groups brought into focus the marginal and caste oppressed people through the electoral process. The positive reservations for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC and ST), though strongly contested by the entrenched upper and middle castes as well as those who have been traditionally privileged, have played a significant role in providing mobility to those historically oppressed and disprivileged. The gains have been uneven on this front but the rise of Dalit political leaders as well as professionals and entrepreneurs from these sections of India’s population indicates some modest gains that cannot be overlooked.