Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the father of Indian constitution famously striked at the roots of Hindu caste structure in his words “ I was born a Hindu, but I will not die a Hindu”, as he considered caste system as the single most important factor for exploitation of lower castes and for backwardness of India. He advocated annihilation of caste system and empowerment of lower castes through education, political organisation and rights and giving up their castes by conversion to other religion.He was a great dissenter against the unjust social order but the value of his dissenting voice was not negative. His protest was positive and a vote for the construction of a just system through modern values, political assertions and education which finds resemblance in today’s social order.

• Ambedkar on Democracy: He said, ‘Democracy is quite different from a Republic as well as from parliamentary Government. The roots of democracy lie not in the form of Government, Parliamentary or otherwise. A democracy is more than a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living. The roots of democracy are to be searched in the social relationship, in the terms of associated life between people who form a society.’
• Ambedkar on Caste: He considers caste system as a bane to democracy ‘Castes are not equal in their status. They are standing one above another. They are jealous of one another. It is an ascending scale of hatred and descending scale of contempt. The feature of caste system has most pernicious consequences. It destroys willing and helpful cooperation.” He further said about voting pattern in election, “How does an Indian vote in an election? He votes for a candidate who belongs to his own caste and no other.

Manifestation of Caste and Modern Democracy as two opposing Poles in light of Recent Events:

• National unity: The caste system developed a parochial feeling and made the people unduly conscious of their own castes. Many a time caste interests were given priority over national interest. Thus, the whole system stood against the very concept of national unity. For Example, The Jat agitation and destruction of public property.
• Against democracy: The caste system ran contrary to the democratic spirit. Democracy presupposes human equality, but the caste system believed in inequality and there was a hierarchical arrangement wherein the Brahmins were at the top, whereas the Sudras were at the lowest rung of the ladder. Una and Saharanpur Violence are examples.
• Political Role: Caste and politics have come to affect each other now. Caste has become an inseparable aspect of our politics. In fact, it is tightening its hold on politics. Elections are fought more often on the basis of caste. Selection of candidates, voting analysis, selection of legislative party leaders, distribution of ministerial portfolios etc., are very much based on caste. For example, BSP is formed on the basis of Caste.
• Undermined the ability and aspirations of the people: Acceptance of one’s own hereditary status became mandatory and unquestionable. Thus, the aspirations and ability of people were relegated to the background in the caste system. The democracy on the other hand is based on giving equal opportunity to everyone and stands at polar opposite to caste system.
• It resulted in the introduction of untouchability: The worst aspect of the caste system was untouchability. The untouchable suffered from various social, economic, political and religious disabilities. Dr. Ambedkar fought for the rights of untouchables his entire life.

How Caste helps in entrenching Modern Democracy:

• The caste has helped in organising people upon common thread of caste in elections. Ex: organisation of party like Lok Dal of Jats, BSP of Dalits, SP of Yadavs and other OBCs. This helped in hereby suppressed and exploited lower castes to have a say in power and politics and a medium to assert themselves. Thus, caste helped in entrenching democracy. This has led to politicisation of castes.
• Democracy, on the one hand, by ensuring universal adult franchise has brought every voice to the fore, on the other hand, has enabled politicisation of people along caste lines giving way to vote bank politics, where focus of elections is along caste lines instead of real issues and concerns. Hence, democracy has led to entrenchment of castes, which has resulted in casteisation of politics

Conclusion:

Hence, Ambedkar’s India, instead of annihilating caste system went for caste based politics, amalgamating the two polar ends to suit its needs. This, in a way has helped the lower castes in having a voice and assertive power as Ambedkar had anticipated, on the other it has entrenched caste system even further into politics. However, recent elections of Lok Sabha have shown that people are now returning to issue based politics and caste based parties are taking a backseat, thereby waning the caste effects in politics.