Other Backward Classes (OBC) are communities other than SC and ST that suffer from educational and social backwardness. These are also referred to as ‘backward castes’. The support for Congress among many sections of the backward castes had declined, creating a space for non-Congress parties that drew more support from these communities. Many of the constituents of the Janata party, like the Bharatiya Kranti Dal, Bharatiya Lok Dal, and the Samyukta party, had a powerful rural base among some sections of the OBC.

Mandal Commission

Background: Reservations for OBCs have been in place in Southern States since the 1960s, while North Indian states did not implement this policy. In 1978, the Central government established a commission to assess and enhance the living conditions of backward classes.

• Establishment of Mandal Commission:  This was the government’s second commission post-independence, officially named the Second Backward Classes Commission or the Mandal Commission, after its esteemed chairperson Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal.
• Impact: This decision had a profound impact on the nation’s social fabric, fostering inclusivity and diversity.
• Recommendations: It was also expected to give its recommendations on how this backwardness could be ended.
  • The Commission gave its recommendations in 1980.

Recommendations of Mandal Commission

• Disadvantage of Backward Castes: Backward castes have a very low presence in educational institutions and governmental jobs.
•  Recommendation for Reservation: It recommended 27% reservation to backward Castes in educational institutions and governmental jobs.
• Additional Recommendations: It also made many other recommendations, like land reform, to improve the conditions of the OBCs.
• OBC Reservation and Public Backlash: The National Front Government decided to implement reservations for OBCs in Central governmental jobs resulting in agitations in different parts of North India.
• Judiciary Stand: The decision was also challenged in the Supreme Court and came to be known as the Indira Sawhney case. The Supreme Court gave a ruling upholding the decision of the government.

Political Fallouts

The 1980s also witnessed the rise of the political organization of the Dalits. In 1978 the Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) was formed. It took a strong position in favour of political power to the ‘Bahujan’ – the SC, ST, OBC, and minorities.

• Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti and later Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) emerged under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.
• Support Base: BSP began as a small party supported largely by Dalit voters in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • For the first time in independent India, a political party supported mainly by Dalit voters had achieved this kind of political success.
• Dalit politics and OBC politics have developed independently and often in competition with each other.

Communalism, Secularism, Democracy

Rise of Religious Politics: Amidst these changes, religious identity-based politics emerged, sparking crucial debates about the core principles of secularism and democracy.

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed in 1980 by the supporters of erstwhile Jana Sangh. BJP pursued the politics of ‘Hindutva’ and adopted the strategy of mobilizing the Hindus.
• Hindutva means Hinduness defined by its originator, V. D. Savarkar, serves as a cornerstone of Indian nationhood.
• • To be members of an Indian nation, everyone must not only accept India as their fatherland (pitrubhu) but also as their holy land (punyabhu).
• Believers of ‘Hindutva’ contend that a strong nation necessitates a cohesive national culture. They assert that in India, this foundation is exclusively provided by Hindu culture.

Shah Bano Case, 1985

Landmark Divorce Maintenance Case: In a significant legal battle, a 62-year-old Muslim woman, who had been divorced, filed a maintenance case against her former husband. The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling, sided with her, affirming her rights.

• Government Response: Under the influence of Muslim leaders’ appeals, the government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, thereby nullifying the Supreme Court’s verdict.
• Political Controversy: The BJP criticized this action of the Congress government as an unnecessary concession and appeasement of the minority community.

Ayodhya Dispute

• Unlocking of Babri Masjid: In February 1986, Faizabad district court issued a significant order, directing unlocking of Babri Masjid premises. 
  • This ruling enabled Hindus to conduct prayers at the site, which they considered a temple.
• Origin: The Babri Masjid was a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya and was built by Mir Baqi – Mughal emperor Babur’s General. 
• Hindu Belief About Site: Hindus believe that it was built after demolishing a temple for Lord Rama in what is believed to be his birthplace.
• Escalating Tensions: ​​During late 1940s, the mosque remained locked due to ongoing legal proceedings. 
  • When the Babri Masjid was finally unlocked, it triggered mobilization efforts on both sides of the dispute.
• Babri Masjid Issue and BJP: The BJP made this issue its major electoral and political plank. They took out a massive march called the Rathyatra from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya in UP.

Demolition and After

Hindu Rallies and Karseva: In December 1992, organisations supporting the temple’s construction arranged a Karseva, a voluntary service by devotees, to build the Ram temple.

• Demolition of Babri Masjid: On December 6, 1992, thousands gathered in Ayodhya, demolishing the mosque.
  •  This triggered nationwide Hindu-Muslim clashes.

Conclusion

The decline in Congress’s support among backward castes led to a rise in non-Congress parties like Janata Party, which had a strong OBC base. Mandal Commission’s recommendations for OBC reservations significantly impacted Indian society, leading to political and judicial challenges. Concurrently, the rise of Dalit and religious politics reshaped India’s political landscape, marked by Shah Bano case and Ayodhya dispute, culminating in the Babri Masjid demolition.

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