Perils Of The Backward Fetish

The emergence of a new social injustice will lead to a surge of such protests across the country.

- DL Sheth

The ongoing agitation by Patidars—or Patels—in Gujarat for securing Other Backward Class (OBC) status is aimed at enjoying the benefits of reservation, which brings in more power and influence. There is something very significant about this protest that has turned violent and acquired great momentum in the state and will have great repercussions elsewhere in the country.

For all practical purposes, the stature of being an OBC is now much more coveted than the mere ritual status of being a member of an upper caste. This is thanks to the upward mobility of a good chunk of OBCs who are now in direct competition with the once-powerful upper castes for more power in the bureaucracy, politics and the economy. For several castes, their OBC status has, over time, brought in enormous perks, influence and power—and, therefore, an OBC quota is a big asset as opposed to ritual, higher caste positions. Now, many so-called upper castes also want to get hold of that ‘asset’. Mind you, it is not so much for economic reasons but for political gains and to have a greater representation in the bureaucracy.