Populism and the Politics of Belonging: A Study of Symbolism and Identity in Regional India
Showkat Ahmad Dar
Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Public Administration, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamilnadu, India
Aadil Ahmad Shairgojri
Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamilnadu, India
Peer Amir Ahmad
Lecturer of Political Science, Govt. Degree College Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir, India
The study explores the complex interplay between identity politics and populism across Indian states, focusing on caste, religion, region, and media-driven symbolic politics. It examines how political parties mobilize caste-based and communal identities for electoral gain, often through welfare populism, cultural revivalism, and targeted media narratives. The rise of parties like the BSP and RJD illustrates how historically marginalized communities have asserted political agency, while populist strategies—such as targeted subsidies and symbolic gestures—serve to consolidate support without challenging structural inequalities. The study also investigates the role of regional nationalism and sub-nationalist movements in shaping political discourses, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Northeast. Media is identified as a crucial actor in identity construction, amplifying symbolic narratives and reinforcing group solidarities.
Keywords: Caste politics, populism, identity mobilisation, regional nationalism, symbolic representation
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