The Backward Classes Movement in India refers to the socio-political efforts made by groups historically categorized as “backward” or “underprivileged” in Indian society, particularly those belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The movement has been crucial in advocating for the upliftment of these groups, seeking social, economic, and political equality, and challenging the entrenched hierarchical caste system that has historically marginalized them.
Historical Background:
- Caste System and Social Stratification:
- The caste system in India, which is a rigid social hierarchy, has been a deeply ingrained part of Indian society for centuries. Historically, people from the lower rungs of this hierarchy — particularly those categorized as “untouchables” or “low castes” — were subjected to severe discrimination and oppression.
- The concept of “backwardness” in India is closely tied to this caste-based stratification. The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) were considered the lowest in the hierarchy, while the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) occupied an intermediate position between the higher castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas) and the lower castes.
- Colonial Era:
- The roots of the Backward Classes Movement can be traced to the British colonial period when social reformers began to challenge the caste system and demand reforms for the upliftment of marginalized communities.
- During the 19th and early 20th centuries, social reformers like Jyotirao Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Periyar E.V. Ramasamy laid the foundations for challenging the caste system and advocating for the rights of the lower castes. Phule’s work in Maharashtra, Ambedkar’s leadership for Dalit rights, and Periyar’s anti-caste campaigns in Tamil Nadu were all crucial in igniting social consciousness regarding caste discrimination.
- The colonial state, by implementing the caste-based census in the late 19th century, also contributed to highlighting the disadvantaged position of backward classes, especially Dalits and tribals.
Post-Independence Developments:
- Constitutional Provisions (1947–1950s):
- After India gained independence in 1947, the government recognized the need to address the social inequalities created by the caste system. The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, laid the foundation for the protection and upliftment of backward classes.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who was the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, played a significant role in securing the rights of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and later, the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
- Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, and Article 46 promotes the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
- The First Backward Classes Commission (Kaka Kalelkar Commission, 1953) was set up to identify the backward classes and recommend measures for their welfare. This commission marked a turning point, as it acknowledged the social and educational backwardness of numerous communities.
- Mandal Commission and Reservation Policy (1970s–1980s):
- The Backward Classes Movement took a more organized and politicized form during the 1970s and 1980s. The Mandal Commission, headed by B.P. Mandal, was established in 1979 to examine the status of OBCs and recommend measures for their upliftment.
- The Mandal Commission Report (1980) recommended that 27% of government jobs and educational seats be reserved for OBCs, in addition to the existing reservations for SCs and STs. The implementation of the Mandal Report in 1990 under then-Prime Minister V.P. Singh led to widespread protests, but also solidified the political consciousness of the OBCs as a significant electoral force in Indian politics.
- The Mandal Commission’s recommendations galvanized the OBCs, especially in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, where caste-based politics had already been shaping the political landscape. Political leaders such as Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and others emerged as prominent champions of OBC rights during this period.
Regional Variations and Movements:
- Tamil Nadu and Dravidian Movement:
- In Tamil Nadu, the Backward Classes Movement gained momentum through the Dravidian Movement, led by figures like Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and later, C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi.
- The Dravidian Movement focused on social justice, anti-Brahminism, and the rights of the marginalized, which resonated deeply with the OBCs and lower castes in the region.
- The state implemented a reservation system much earlier than the national government, with a significant portion of government jobs and educational seats reserved for backward communities.
- Maharashtra and Dalit Movement:
- In Maharashtra, the Backward Classes Movement was intertwined with the Dalit rights movement, particularly the work of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who sought to address the historical oppression of Dalits (untouchables).
- The Dalit Panthers, founded in the 1970s, were inspired by the Black Panther Movement in the United States and demanded more radical and immediate change for Dalits and backward classes in the state.
Contemporary Phase:
In recent decades, the Backward Classes Movement has expanded its scope to address not just political and economic issues but also cultural recognition, social justice, and the representation of backward classes in media and public discourse. The movement has also sought to challenge caste-based discrimination and untouchability, ensuring that affirmative action benefits reach the most marginalized within the backward classes.
Conclusion:
The Backward Classes Movement in India has evolved from being an effort to address the economic and political marginalization of the lower castes during the colonial period to a powerful socio-political force in post-independence India. It has successfully influenced the Indian state’s policies, especially through reservations and affirmative action. The movement has shifted from a primarily class-based struggle to one focused on cultural recognition and social justice, addressing the varied needs of different groups within the broader category of “backward classes.” Although challenges remain, the movement continues to play a crucial role in shaping India’s democratic and social fabric.