This shift in politics was accompanied by some other significant developments. On one hand, India was forced to open up and ‘liberalise’ its economy by allowing freer flow of foreign capital and goods into India; on the other hand, new social groups asserted themselves politically for the first time, and finally religious nationalism and communal political mobilisation became important features of our political life. All this put the Indian society into great turmoil. We are still coming to grips with these changes and adapting ourselves to them.

Extention of Constitutional Privileges

    The Janata Dal focused on the need for inclusive development and ensuring opportunities for people from backward communities. The National Front government resurrected the Mandal Commission report which had recommended reservations for other backward castes (OBC) in government employment and educational facilities. The V P Singh government announced that it was implementing the core recommendation of the Commission by reserving 27% of the seats in government employment for candidates from the socially and educationally backward castes that were identified by the Commission. This order sparked numerous protests, especially in north India. In the south, most States already had a high proportion of the seats reserved for the OBCs. Most of the other political parties were not in favour of V P Singh government’s decision, but did not want to oppose it as they feared that they would become unpopular. This was because, during the previous two decades, many of the OBC castes had become rich and started to assert themselves. They had especially benefitted from land reforms and green revolution, but found that they did not have adequate representation in education, government service and even in politics. They now began to demand for their share in these spheres. The V P Singh government tried to address this demand by implementing the Mandal Commission recommendations. Thus, gradually all political parties came to. center> Home