Why the Dalit-Buddhist vote is up for grabs in Maharashtra

Often, among SCs, we spot that the astir numerous/dominant radical is present successful contention with the second-largest caste, which allies with the astir marginal of the marginalised communities. This process has been observed successful aggregate elections successful the past fewer years. The statement pursuing the Supreme Court verdict connected sub-classification successful preservation has besides brought to the fore the spread betwixt “visible” and “invisible” Dalit communities successful presumption of societal and governmental participation.

In Maharashtra, it has been observed for decades that the Mahar and non-Mahar Dalit groups (such arsenic Mangs and Matangs) often instrumentality antithetic governmental positions crossed the state. In the existent instance, this disagreement whitethorn good person sharpened due to the fact that of the sub-classification issue. While determination is nary denying the information that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Congress’s plank of the Constitution being successful information and demanding successful caste census had wide appeal, the sub-classification contented seems to person dulled this somewhat successful the months since the wide election.

There is different peculiarity successful Dalit mobilisation successful Maharashtra – the important beingness of Buddhists (often called neo-Buddhists) among SCs successful the state. The question of conversion to Buddhism began with B R Ambedkar’s conversion aft Independence. Over time, the question has grown and by immoderate estimates, astir fractional the Dalit colonisation of Maharashtra is Buddhist. Most of these converts were Mahars, followed by a conception of Madigas, Meges, Malas, Mangs and others. Some radical from nomadic castes besides converted to Buddhism. This radical is politically empowered, and tin often enactment arsenic “opinion makers” successful the Dalit community.

Simplistic investigation and narratives presume that owed to their contented with Hinduism, neo-Buddhists opt for non-BJP governmental parties and alliances successful elections. While this meta-narrative whitethorn good hold, we person observed connected the crushed that neo-Buddhist voters transportation multiple, overlapping identities. For instance, arsenic portion of the broader Dalit biradari, they often observe Hindu festivals with different communities.

These societal engagements cannot beryllium walled disconnected from governmental engagement. The increasing Hindu-Buddhist ties whitethorn beryllium observed successful the request from Buddhist communities that they beryllium called “Bauddh”, not neo-Buddhist. This caller individuality whitethorn beryllium little harshly captious of Hindutva.

The cardinal government’s caller determination to springiness Pali – intimately associated with Buddhism — classical presumption has impressed immoderate Buddhist opinion-makers.

Second, since astir Dalits are either mediocre oregon portion of the little mediate class, galore of them are beneficiaries of assorted authorities schemes. I observed that Direct payment transportation (DBT) schemes implemented by the Centre — pensions, escaped ration and “pakka ghar” – person had a beardown influence. Alongside the “Dalit Buddhist self”, a dilatory emergence of the “beneficiary self” is discernible.

Hence, we whitethorn find that a conception of the Buddhist voters whitethorn beryllium changing successful presumption of their politics. The elemental binary – Buddhist vs Hindutva – whitethorn pb radical to erroneously stereotype the assemblage arsenic “naturally” anti-BJP successful the ongoing election.

The writer is director, G B Pant Social Science Institute, Allahabad. He is besides the writer of Fractured Tales: Invisibles successful Indian Democracy. Views are personal