Iron Law of Caste Oligarchy in Panchayati Raj: A Case Study of Barelyia Village, UP

Politics of assertion and representation of lower castes (Other Backward Classes [OBCs] and Scheduled Castes [SCs]) after 1980, known as silent revolution, a term coined by Jaffrelot (2003, India’s silent revolution: The rise of the lower castes in North India , Hurst & Company), has had little impact on existing caste power relations, particularly in the Awadh region, except the emergence of some dominant OBC castes. Socio-economic inequalities have translated into political inequality relegating constitutional provisions of equality to the backseat. The principal objective of this article is to uncover the various mechanisms and strategies, particularly deployed by Thakurs to control the political life of lower castes in Uttar Pradesh in general and in the Awadh region in particular. The moot question that the article addresses is, How does caste privilege enable Thakurs to dominate the socio-economic and political landscape and perpetuate the upper-caste hegemony in rural India? It has been argued that the caste power relation in rural India is an impediment to realize the desirable outcomes of the Panchayati Raj system envisioned in the constitution and to make more inclusive and democratic Panchayati Raj Institutions. Even though the representation of SCs, Scheduled Tribes and women in panchayats is constitutionalized through the 73rd amendment; however, little progress has been made so far. The majority of the elected representatives from the SC community is entrusted with de jure power, while the de facto power continues to be exercised by the upper castes. Thakurs ’ age-old social domination, economic status and political power remain hardly challenged. Since this study contains some sensitive information about the village, the actual name of the village has been deliberately changed to Barelyia village.