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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Caste census could further strengthen the dominant OBCs
Written by Viplov Wingkar The central government's decision to enumerate caste in the upcoming Census has invoked much excitement, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress heralding it as a transformative moment. The prevailing assumption across the political spectrum is that it will usher in a new era of politics. This optimism is not just misplaced but naïve. Of course, there is a possibility for emancipatory politics — but there are other factors as well. One possible impact of the caste enumeration exercise will be the further empowerment of the locally dominant OBC castes, without forging a pan-Indian OBC alliance. The caste census could end up fuelling a politics of convenience, and it may worsen the atmosphere for more vulnerable castes, especially the Dalits. B R Ambedkar, in Annihilation of Caste, laid bare a truth about Indian society and politics: Every caste is a self-conscious entity, its identity forged in opposition to others, devoid of fraternal bonds. This is what makes caste a labyrinth of hierarchies within hierarchies, and ensures that alliances across castes are brittle at best. Consider the Dalits and Adivasis, whose shared experience of marginalisation and numerical strength — roughly 25 per cent of India's population — should, in theory, make them a formidable anti-caste force. Yet there is hardly any pan-Indian Dalit-Adivasi unity today, thanks to sub-caste rivalries, cultural gaps, and regional loyalties. Despite their shared oppression and strong independent mobilisation, the Chamars of Uttar Pradesh and the Mahars of Maharashtra rarely come together to represent a united political voice. They seldom even agree on what the broad strategy for the Dalit movement should be. How, then, could we expect the OBCs — a sprawling category encompassing hundreds of castes — to transcend these divides? On the other hand, by quantifying the numerical strength of OBCs, the Census might embolden dominant castes, who are usually the numerically dominant ones. These groups have already leveraged Mandal politics since the 1990s to secure power at the state level, with their ascendancy often coming at the expense of smaller OBC castes and their lower-caste counterparts. Moreover, they have failed to build a broader political narrative, focusing instead on region-specific political interests. It is hard to find a Kurmi-led organisation in Patna allying with a Yadav-dominated bloc in Lucknow. The father of sociology, Ibn Khaldun, discusses the concept of asabiyyah, or social solidarity. According to him, this type of cohesive bonding progresses from the barbaric stage (fragmented) to the highest civilised stage, with each smaller unit of cohesion being replaced by a broader one. Each caste's inherent exclusivity undermines the kind of social cohesion required for an OBC or Bahujan alliance — asabiyyah exists today at the level of individual castes, not yet diluted enough to be superseded by higher forms of cohesion. The optimism surrounding the caste census hinges on another flawed assumption: that we are unable to eradicate caste inequalities because we lack data. This assumption is naïve. History shows that data does not inherently translate into mobilisation. The global working class, for instance, is exhaustively documented — from Marx's Capital to modern ILO reports — yet a unified proletarian movement remains a mirage. In India, the Periodic Labour Force Survey reveals stark inequalities, but the working class languishes, fragmented by caste, trade, nationality, and region. Similarly, the caste census may mirror OBC realities but will not automatically forge a broader coalition. As Antonio Gramsci might argue, political consciousness requires organic intellectuals and sustained organisation — not mere numbers on a page. However, Indian intellectuals today still follow the framework of the Lohiaite style of caste politics. This model has no doubt been reasonably successful, but we must also ask whether it is suited for post-enumeration caste politics. Socialist parties, from the RJD to the BSP, mostly rely on stitching together a bare-minimum coalition of castes that will get them a stake in governance. In such coalitions, the fewer the number of partners, the more convenient it is to claim more. Is there any feasible alternative to this politics of convenience? Another question we must contemplate is: What will be left for the Dalits if the dominant OBC communities are further politically strengthened? The conflict between the Dwijas and Shudras has not brought much relief to Dalits. When it comes to Dalit atrocities, states like Tamil Nadu — long ruled by non-Brahmin parties — are no better than Brahmin-ruled states. Bihar, one of the crucial centres of OBC politics, is not great for Dalits either. It was the Mahagathbandhan government, not the NDA, which released Anand Mohan, the former MP convicted for the mob lynching of Dalit IAS officer Krishnaiah. Socialist politics led by OBCs have achieved great victories. It would be better if OBC leaders also fought for the rights of other lower castes. Stronger cohesion should be the response to prevalent caste inequality. Caste enumeration might jeopardise these possibilities by binding leaders to their specific castes and interests. The writer is an assistant professor of philosophy at B K Birla College (Autonomous), Kalyan
Pink Villa
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Will people finally see Janhvi Kapoor's ‘true potential' with Cannes selection Homebound? Neeraj Ghaywan says, ‘She's been maligned publicly…'
Janhvi Kapoor has worked in various films that have earned her critical acclaim and box office success. Homebound, the official selection at the Cannes Film Festival, will prove to be a turning point in her career as it brings her to the global stage. The movie's director, Neeraj Ghaywan, recently mentioned how Janhvi has faced a lot of trolling before, but the audience will finally get to see her 'true potential.' In a recent interview with Variety, Neeraj Ghaywan opened up about Janhvi Kapoor 's casting in Homebound. He said, 'She's been maligned publicly and heavily trolled, but when people see this film and her true potential, they'll wake up to see she's really made of something else.' Neeraj stated that during her preparation for the role, she began to reflect on her own privilege. He revealed that he had given B.R. Ambedkar's book Annihilation of Caste to Janhvi, which led her to try to understand the inequalities in society. Karan Johar shared that for Janhvi Kapoor, working with Neeraj Ghaywan felt more like therapy than just a professional experience. According to him, she felt 'healed' after spending those days with the Masaan director. Karan revealed that the actress considered the time she spent filming Homebound as some of the most meaningful she's had on a set. 'She felt she wasn't really acting but going through some sort of personal catharsis,' he added. Janhvi Kapoor plays the role of Sudha in Homebound. The film also stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in the lead roles. It was selected in the Un Certain Regard category at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The festival's official website revealed the premise of the movie. It read, 'Two childhood friends from a small North Indian village chase a police job that promises them the dignity they've long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.' Meanwhile, Janhvi Kapoor's upcoming lineup includes films like Param Sundari, a cross-cultural romantic comedy with Sidharth Malhotra, and the lighthearted Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari with Varun Dhawan.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Janhvi Kapoor has been ‘heavily trolled', Neeraj Ghaywan says Homebound will mark a shift for her as an actor
Janhvi Kapoor was present at the Cannes Film Festival for the world premiere of her upcoming film Homebound, which received a 9-minute-long standing ovation. Talking about her casting in a new interview with Variety, director Neeraj Ghaywan shared that the actor has been 'heavily trolled' before, but this film will shift the perception of the audience. (Also read: Emotional Neeraj Ghaywan hugs Karan Johar as Homebound gets 9-minute standing ovation at Cannes Film Festival) Neeraj said of Janhvi, 'She's been maligned publicly and heavily trolled, but when people see this film and her true potential, they'll wake up to see she's really made of something else. I gave her [Bhimrao Ramji] Ambedkar's Annihilation of Caste to read, and she went into a rabbit hole of trying to understand the glaring differences that we live with together.' In the same interview, producer Karan Johar said that Janhvi did a 10-day workshop with Neeraj for the film, which meant a lot for her. He said, "She felt she was in 10 days of therapy with Neeraj, and she felt healed as a result. Even now, she says those seven or eight days spent on the sets of Homebound will be her best days spent on a film set. She felt she wasn't really acting but going through some sort of personal catharsis.' Homebound also stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. According to the official website of the Cannes Film Festival, the film's premise is: 'Two childhood friends from a small North Indian village chase a police job that promises them the dignity they've long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.' The film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra. The co-producers include Marijke de Souza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier.
News18
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Janhvi Questioned Her Privilege On Homebound Set, Says Ghaywan: 'She's Been Heavily Trolled...'
Last Updated: Karan Johar, who has worked closely with Janhvi Kapoor since her debut, said Homebound proved to be a therapeutic process for the actor. Janhvi Kapoor's performance in Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound has been met with critical acclaim, receiving a rousing nine-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was screened at the Debussy Theatre on Wednesday and was attended by Ghaywan, lead actors Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi, along with producer Karan Johar and his Dharma Productions team, including Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra. For Kapoor, Homebound was more than just another film. Portraying Sudha, a Dalit girl in a North Indian village, pushed her into uncharted territory both emotionally and socially. Director Neeraj Ghaywan, known for his sensitive storytelling and strong social commentary, was vocal about the transformation he witnessed in her. 'She's been maligned publicly and heavily trolled, but when people see this film and her true potential, they'll wake up to see she's really made of something else," Ghaywan told Variety. He shared that during the film's preparation, Kapoor began reflecting on her own background and privilege. 'She started questioning her own privilege. I gave her Ambedkar's 'Annihilation of Caste' to read, and she went into a rabbit hole of trying to understand the glaring differences that we live with together," he said. Karan Johar, who has worked closely with Kapoor since her debut, said Homebound proved to be a therapeutic process for the actor. What began as a 10-day workshop with Ghaywan for a shelved project turned into an experience of personal growth. 'She felt she was in 10 days of therapy with Neeraj, and she felt healed as a result," Johar said. 'Even now, she says those seven or eight days spent on the sets of Homebound will be her best days spent on a film set. She felt she wasn't really acting but going through some sort of personal catharsis." Set in a rural North Indian village, Homebound centres on two best friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter), a Muslim, and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), a Dalit, who dream of becoming police officers. As they await responses from the government after passing their entrance tests, they are forced to confront social, economic and personal barriers. While Shoaib struggles to care for his ailing father, Chandan joins college, in part to stay close to Sudha (Janhvi Kapoor), a fellow Dalit from a slightly more stable family background. First Published:
