Question

Trace the political rise of Other Backward Classes in Indian politics since 1990. Also state the role of Mandal Commission in its rise.

Hint:

Give three points on the political rise of OBCs and three on the Mandal Commission report, implementation in 1990 and the 1992 court ruling.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand what is asked:
The question has two parts. First, trace how OBCs rose in Indian politics after 1990. Second, state the role of the Mandal Commission in this rise.
A 6 mark answer needs about three points for each part, each one explained.

Step 2: Point 1: Background of OBCs:
OBCs are the communities that are socially and educationally backward but are not Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. They form a large part of the population, so they have a big vote share.
Before 1990 their political voice was limited. Some states of the south, such as Tamil Nadu, had earlier backward class movements.

Step 3: Point 2: Reservation and protest:
After 1990 the demand for reservation in jobs and education became a major political issue. Parties started to speak for the backward classes to win votes.
The issue split society and brought caste to the centre of politics.

Step 4: Point 3: New parties and leaders:
Regional parties with strong OBC support grew in the Hindi belt, such as the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and the Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar. OBC leaders became Chief Ministers.
This shift is often called the politics of social justice or Mandal politics.

Step 5: Role of Mandal Commission: set up and report:
The Commission was set up in 1979 under B.P. Mandal. In 1980 it recommended 27 percent reservation in government jobs for OBCs.
It gave OBCs a clear political identity and a common demand.

Step 6: Role of Mandal Commission: implementation:
In August 1990 the National Front government under V.P. Singh decided to implement the report. This made the OBCs a strong political force.
Anti-Mandal protests followed, but they only made OBC groups more united.

Step 7: Role of Mandal Commission: court and lasting effect:
In 1992 the Supreme Court (Indra Sawhney case) upheld 27 percent reservation for OBCs and excluded the creamy layer.
Since then all major parties have tried to win the OBC vote, so the Commission changed the shape of Indian electoral politics.

Final Answer:
OBCs rose in politics after 1990 through reservation demands, backward class parties and leaders. The Mandal Commission supplied the report and the 27 percent reservation that triggered this rise.