To understand the power of Kothari’s argument, one must revisit the India of the late 1960s. The Congress system was showing cracks. Non-Congress coalitions were rising. The Green Revolution was altering rural power equations. And yet, most political analysis still treated caste as a primordial, irrational obstacle to modernity.
: During elections, caste becomes a critical factor. Voters often align along caste lines, although this is not the sole determinant of voting behavior. The literature also discusses how caste is used in the electoral process, including the nomination of candidates from specific castes to attract votes. Rajni Kothari Caste In Indian Politics 15.pdf
Let’s clarify the bibliographical confusion. Rajni Kothari wrote several works dealing with caste: To understand the power of Kothari’s argument, one