Q13 · UPSC Civil Services Mains 2015 · GS I · 12 marks · 3 min read

← Q12

Debate the issue whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste.

Topic: Social Empowerment, Communalism and Secularism. Syllabus: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism and secularism. Same official PYQ from year-wise 2015 and Social Empowerment, Communalism and Secularism.

Revision summary

Ambedkar’s aim was to destroy caste hierarchy, not to make jati a lasting badge. Identity assertion can help by refusing humiliation, using law, and converting out of the Hindu order. It can hinder by turning caste into a frozen vote bank and keeping endogamy. Symbols without land, schools, and an end to stigmatised work are not annihilation. Assertion is needed as a path; mixed social life is still the test.

Model answer

Flow diagram

flowchart TD
  A[Ambedkar annihilation aim] --> I[Dalit identity assertion]
  I --> D[Dignity law office conversion]
  I --> F[Vote bank endogamy freeze]
  D --> E[Possible caste weakening]
  F --> E
  M[Mixed life end of stigma labour] --> E

Conclusion

  • Keep dignity movements, but measure success by mixed schools, mixed marriage freedom, exit from stigmatised labour, and declining atrocity—not only by caste census pride.

Contemporary Dalit identity movements work toward annihilation when they break silence, win rights, and exit humiliating religion and work. They work against it when they freeze jati as a permanent electoral tribe. Assertion is a means; annihilation remains the unfinished end.

Quick related

Students also ask

  • Does pride in Dalit identity contradict Ambedkar?

    Pride that refuses humiliation helps. Pride that treats caste as a forever culture blocks annihilation.

  • Can reservation end caste?

    It can weaken monopoly of office and education. It cannot by itself end endogamy and village hierarchy.

PYQ trend

When UPSC asked this

Related PYQs from other years, newest first. Open a question to read it.

  1. 2020 · Q8 · GS I · 10 marks

    Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi- cultural Indian Society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations.

    View answer →

  2. 2020 · Q10 · GS I · 10 marks

    Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue.

    View answer →

  3. 2019 · Q10 · GS I · 10 marks

    What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism?

    View answer →

  4. 2018 · Q8 · GS I · 10 marks

    "Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India." Comment.

    View answer →

  5. 2018 · Q10 · GS I · 10 marks

    How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss.

    View answer →

  6. 2018 · Q20 · GS I · 15 marks

    'Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.' Argue by giving suitable illustrations.

    View answer →

  7. 2017 · Q19 · GS I · 15 marks

    Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India. (250 words).

    View answer →

  8. 2016 · Q12 · GS I · 12 marks

    What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.

    View answer →

More from this topic

Q9 · UPSC Mains 2024 · GS I · 10 marks

Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss.

Social Empowerment, Communalism and Secularism

Intercaste marriage has increased a little where education, income and urban life already match. The Hindu Marriage Act does not bar intercaste unions. The Special Marriage Act offers a civil path. The rise is selective and still a minority practice. Caste violence has not vanished. Interreligious marriage is rarer because personal law, conversion fears and honour politics raise the cost. Class can sometimes buy a caste exception. It rarely buys a religious exception in today’s climate. Constitutional choice of partner exists. Social enforcement is still family and community.

Q20 · UPSC Mains 2023 · GS I · 15 marks

Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism.

Social Empowerment, Communalism and Secularism

After 1991, markets, private jobs, and mass media grew together. Ethnic claims for language, tribe, and new states continued inside that growth. Communal mobilisation used television, rumour, and later social media. Riots and polarising politics showed that GDP does not cancel religious conflict. The market can mix people at work and still sell identity at home and at the vote.

Q19 · UPSC Mains 2023 · GS I · 15 marks

Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static?

Social Empowerment, Communalism and Secularism

Sanskritization, migration, and quota politics make caste claims move. Endogamy, atrocities, and caste associations keep rank sticky. The office can be fluid while the wedding remains static. Law bans untouchability; practice often does not. Both words in the question are therefore right at the same time.

Toppers' copies

Toppers' copies for this question will be uploaded soon.