While proportionate representation and caste census is an eyesore for Hindu Nationalists, led by RSS, its beginnings are in Poona Pact between Gandhi and Ambedkar and later it found its place in Indian Constitution. https://thewire.in/caste/caste-imbroglio-changing-narrative-of-hindu-right
One of the major issues during the last General Elections (April-May 2024) was about conducting a caste census. The INDIA Alliance put it forward very strongly, while BJP is opposing it. This opposition is very clear-cut and unambiguous. The issue of caste has been the core issue in strengthening of Hindu right wing politics.
The awareness of exploitation by the downtrodden was recognised by the likes of Jyotirao Phule and Bhimrao Ambedkar. In response to this the upper caste formations started articulating the glorious past, with the concept of Hindu nation and Manusmriti’s values forming the core of their agenda. In due course, particularly during the last few decades, the narrative promoted by RSS was that all castes were equal and their ideologues did come out with a number of books on different castes showing their past history of being equal.
The RSS leaders claimed that these castes had come into existence due to atrocities by foreign invaders and did not exist in Hindu religion earlier.
Ram puniyani
02/09/2024