Congress has long been accused of exploiting caste-based divisions within Hindu society for political gain. Yet, when it comes to the Muslim community, where caste divisions also exist, the party remains conspicuously silent. This stark contrast raises questions about Congress’s intentions and commitment to unity, revealing an alarming double standard that favors one community while fostering division within another.
Congress’s Strategy: Divide and Rule Hindu Society
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly criticized Congress for attempting to divide Hindu society by focusing on caste differences. According to him, the party’s tactics are not just accidental but part of a larger strategy to keep Hindus divided and politically weakened.
Congress has historically supported policies and narratives that emphasize caste-based identity among Hindus, often portraying themselves as the champion of backward castes and Dalits.
However, this approach has also led to deepening divisions within the Hindu community, making caste a persistent issue in electoral politics.
The most glaring example is Congress’s frequent support for caste-based reservations and quota systems, which although designed to uplift disadvantaged groups, have often ended up fueling resentment and competition among various Hindu castes. For instance, Congress’s stance during the Mandal Commission implementation further exacerbated caste tensions, dividing the Hindu community for electoral benefits.
But this focus on caste divisions within Hinduism is part of a broader political agenda. By keeping Hindus divided internally, Congress can consolidate its hold on minority votes, particularly those of Muslims, without addressing the latter’s caste-based divisions.
Why Doesn’t Congress Talk About Muslim Castes?
While Congress is vocal about Hindu caste divisions, the same can’t be said when it comes to the Muslim community. Islam in India, like Hinduism, is not homogenous. It has its own hierarchical divisions, including Ashrafs (noble-born Muslims) and Ajlafs (those considered lower in status), and the Arzals (the equivalent of untouchables). Despite these divisions, Congress has never pushed for any policy or discourse that acknowledges or attempts to rectify the caste-based inequalities within the Muslim community. This selective silence has drawn sharp criticism, especially from political leaders like PM Modi.
According to Modi, Congress has deliberately ignored these caste divisions in the Muslim community to maintain its political stronghold among Muslim voters. The party’s approach is to portray itself as a savior of the Muslim minority, but only in ways that ensure electoral loyalty without addressing the internal issues within the community.
Congress’s Pandering to Muslims
One of the long-standing accusations against Congress is its appeasement of the Muslim community at the expense of Hindus. Congress’s leadership, especially under the Nehru-Gandhi family, has consistently framed policies that are perceived to favor Muslims, whether it is personal law or selective social justice. Rahul Gandhi, the current face of Congress, has frequently been criticized for his attempts to position himself as a protector of Muslims, while remaining indifferent to Hindu concerns, particularly the growing sense of alienation among Hindus.
For example, during the Shah Bano case in the 1980s, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Muslim woman’s right to alimony, the Congress government under Rajiv Gandhi swiftly overturned the decision through legislation, bowing to the demands of the Muslim clergy. This action was seen as a clear example of Congress’s willingness to bend the law to appease its Muslim vote bank, even at the cost of gender justice.
Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments also echo this sentiment. His speeches often include calls for inclusivity and protection of minorities, which in themselves are not problematic. However, his reluctance to address the caste issues within the Muslim community or acknowledge the role of Islamist extremism in communal tensions leaves a glaring gap in his narrative of social justice. The result is that Congress appears biased in favor of Muslims, willing to divide Hindus but unwilling to address the internal inequalities among Muslims.
Congress’s Long History of Dividing Hindus
The Congress party’s tactic of dividing Hindus is not a new phenomenon. From the early days of India’s independence, Congress used caste-based identities to carve out voter banks. The party supported the idea of secularism, but in practice, its policies contributed to the politicization of caste, particularly in the Hindu community.
The creation of separate quotas and reservations for different castes and sub-castes within Hinduism has created an environment where different groups within the same religion see each other as rivals. Congress’s policy of catering to these differences, while never touching upon caste-related issues among Muslims, is what many see as the party’s greatest hypocrisy.
Prime Minister Modi has strongly condemned this approach, accusing Congress of fueling divisions within Hindu society to keep the community in constant conflict. He has noted that while Congress is quick to highlight the caste differences among Hindus, it has never spoken about similar divisions among Muslims. This selective silence is not an accident but a calculated political move designed to keep Hindus divided while consolidating Muslim votes as a monolithic block.
Conclusion: Congress and Its Hypocrisy
The Congress party’s hypocrisy in dealing with caste is evident. On one hand, it exploits caste differences within Hindu society to keep the community fractured and politically vulnerable. On the other hand, it completely ignores caste divisions within the Muslim community, thereby protecting its political base. This selective approach is not just harmful to national unity but also reveals Congress’s cynical and divisive politics.
While Congress continues to frame itself as a party of social justice, its track record shows that its policies are more about political expediency than genuine equality. By focusing on Hindu caste divisions and ignoring Muslim ones, Congress has shown that it is willing to sacrifice the unity of Hindu society for the sake of electoral gains.
The time has come for voters to see through this charade. As Modi rightly pointed out, Congress’s policies are not about promoting equality but about deepening divisions. If Congress truly cares about social justice, it should address caste issues in all communities, including Muslims, instead of using caste as a tool to divide and conquer Hindu society.
