This is a very clearly written backgrounder on the politics and caste interplay in UP. Will be wide read and referred to in coming days to explain the disparate issues weighing on our national politics.
If UP with its regressive agenda based on casteism hoary old traditions holds the key to national political dominance the progressive economic development will continue to be held back.
The brief history narrated by you also shows that Congress has all along pandered to this agenda and has inherently not been the force for progressive modern reforms.
I am a huge fan of yours but I find it little strange that you have forgotten to mention anything from 1990’s onwards There is no mention of Mayawati. So the history is rather incomplete. I fully agree with the conclusion drawn by you.
This article traces the origins of Uttar Pradesh and its role as King maker and a key factor in forming governments at the state and central levels. It traces the evolution of caste based identity politics that could have done their bit in bringing about growth and development in the much beleaguered state. However that was not to be because self serving politicians put self before state/ nation and the people were allowed to bleed … with the current incumbent in the Chief Ministerial chair, it’s pretty apparent as to where the state is heading.
I find it amusing that you differentiate between Garhwal and Kumaon is there a need for it. Bahuguna was a true secular but is portrayed as Brahmin CM. When everyone has a caste tag, brahmin is just a tag. Kalyan Singh, mulayam singh, Vir bahadur, Mayawati, Charan Singh, Guptax2 all were CM but your affection is only for Brahmin
This is a very clearly written backgrounder on the politics and caste interplay in UP. Will be wide read and referred to in coming days to explain the disparate issues weighing on our national politics.
If UP with its regressive agenda based on casteism hoary old traditions holds the key to national political dominance the progressive economic development will continue to be held back.
The brief history narrated by you also shows that Congress has all along pandered to this agenda and has inherently not been the force for progressive modern reforms.
I am a huge fan of yours but I find it little strange that you have forgotten to mention anything from 1990’s onwards There is no mention of Mayawati. So the history is rather incomplete. I fully agree with the conclusion drawn by you.
This article traces the origins of Uttar Pradesh and its role as King maker and a key factor in forming governments at the state and central levels. It traces the evolution of caste based identity politics that could have done their bit in bringing about growth and development in the much beleaguered state. However that was not to be because self serving politicians put self before state/ nation and the people were allowed to bleed … with the current incumbent in the Chief Ministerial chair, it’s pretty apparent as to where the state is heading.
Your article nicely traces the origins of the entangled threads of UP politics. Thanks!
I find it amusing that you differentiate between Garhwal and Kumaon is there a need for it. Bahuguna was a true secular but is portrayed as Brahmin CM. When everyone has a caste tag, brahmin is just a tag. Kalyan Singh, mulayam singh, Vir bahadur, Mayawati, Charan Singh, Guptax2 all were CM but your affection is only for Brahmin
Thank you for this short yet elaborate history of UP politics. Explains a lot about the present situation.