Dehradun, April 19 -- There is no doubt that more than ever caste and community play a major role in Indian politics, today. However, there was a time when everybody pretended these did not. Unfortunately, once 'affirmative' action began to make inroads into hitherto 'unexploited' areas, caste consciousness and mobilisation became stronger. It was only a step further to address caste-based aspirations and promise sops targeted specifically for them. As such, those elected became representatives of just these sections, even going to the extent of excluding others from the benefits due to them.
In actual fact, as supposed leaders of society, the public representatives ought to have been in the forefront of breaking down caste barriers - whic...