Identity politics, also called identitarian politics, refers to political positions based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify. Identity politics includes the ways in which people’s politics may be shaped by aspects of their identity through loosely correlated social organizations. Examples include social organizations based on age, social class or caste, culture, dialect, disability, education, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender identity.

The term identity politics came into being during the latter part of the 20th century, during the Civil Rights Era. During this time period, identity politics was used by a minority group to form a coalition with members of the majority.

Identity politics, as a mode of organizing, is closely connected to the concept that some social groups are oppressed (such as women, ethnic minorities, sexual minorities, etc.); that is, individuals belonging to those groups are, by virtue of their identity, more vulnerable to forms of oppression such as cultural imperialism, violence, exploitation of labour, marginalization, or powerlessness. Identity politics starts from analyses of oppression to recommend a restructuring of the existing society.

Identity politics is a phenomenon that arose first within the radical margins of liberal democratic societies in which human rights are recognized, and the term is not usually used to refer to dissident movements within single-party or authoritarian states. The elements of identity politics can be seen to be present in many of the earliest statements of feminists, ethnic movements, and gay and lesbian liberation.

Identity politics has affected the Indian politics and society in following ways:

Impact on polity:

• Formation of coalition government at center stage shows the accommodative maturity shown by political leadership of country.
• Rise of dominant political parties has origin in identity politics in many states. This is very historic phenomenon in India and political outcome of regional aspirations can be seen from last 20 to 25 years now.
• Rise of regional and state parties is one of the consequence of identity politics in India. For eg BSP, Shivsena etc.
• Identity politics has made considerable impacts on international relations more on neighboring countries. One can see it impact of Tamil identity politics on India Srilanka relations.
• Identity politics let by caste groups is at peak in India today. Most of the matter revolves around reservation aspirations of youth of various caste and communities in India.
• Polity has got remarkable impact by agitation of third gender community. This is the positive development and it has led to passage of protective legislation for third gender community. Supreme courts observation on rights to third gender community highlights the importance of these groups creating their own impact on socio political sphere of country.
• Identity politics has also led to vote bank politics where political parties are focusing only on the needs of particular social groups.

Impact on society:

• Increase in political awareness among marginalized and weaker sections of society.
• Political parties could focus on particular sections deprived of political power and economic opportunities in the society.
• Identity politics has also given better representation to socially discriminated classes and minorities.
• Identity politics has sowed the seeds of hatred and enmity among different sections of society based on castes, religion, ethnicity etc.
• Identity politics is responsible for the parochial and narrow minded views of the citizens and political parties.
• Identity politics is responsible for divisive tendencies and could lead to the separatist tendencies. Eg Naga insurgency after independence, Khalistan movement etc.

Conclusion-

Identity politics has played important role in bringing marginalized and discriminated sections of society to mainstream politics. However at the same time it has brought some negative developments in Indian polity and society. Thus we need to ensure that Identity politics don’t result into parochial and divisive thinking while reaping its benefit.