September 24, 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has dropped a bombshell order banning caste-based political rallies, public caste names on vehicles and signboards, and mentioning caste in police records. This bold move aims to reduce casteism but has sent shockwaves through BJP allies like Nishad, SBSP, and Apna Dal – parties heavily depend on caste identity to win votes. The Nishad party mainly represents the Nishad community of fishermen, the SBSP under OP Rajbhar is seen as the party of Rajbhars, and Apna Dal primarily works for Kurmis. With caste at their political core, these parties are now visibly uncomfortable. Sanjay Nishad, leader of the Nishad party, voiced strong doubts: "There has always been a glorious history of castes. Who will identify you if you don't write your caste?" He even hinted at taking the matter to court. An Apna Dal senior leader also felt the ban was "not very convincing" and hinted the party would still find ways to hold caste-based events. Both parties say empowering backward and downtrodden communities through caste-based politics is their main goal, helping them build loyal vote banks. Interestingly, before the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, BJP itself organised several caste-based meetings to connect with key leaders from different castes. Now, with the 2024 polls nearing, some castes’ political consolidation might unsettle the NDA’s carefully balanced caste calculations. On the opposite side, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav pounced on BJP, asking, "What will be done to eliminate the caste bias entrenched in the mind for 5,000 years? What about practices like forcing someone to wash their house because of caste, or conspiracies that defame people with false caste allegations?" But BJP’s UP unit boss Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary called the order "historic" and aimed at ending casteism, insisting this was needed to follow the high court’s directions. He added, "The BJP believes in equality and social justice. On allies being uncomfortable, I have no idea about that. But see, they are part of an alliance and not in our party. So, it is not necessary for them to agree with every decision, and they are entitled to have their own opinion." This battle between caste-based politics and attempts to curb casteism has kicked off a fiery debate in Uttar Pradesh. Will the ban dampen caste pride or shake up alliance politics? Time will tell, but the political masala is sizzling for sure!

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Tags: Uttar pradesh, Caste ban, Bjp allies, Nishad party, Apna dal, Sbsp,