3 weeks ago
Will Upper-Caste Discontent After Bihar Loss Hurt BJP in UP?
The BJP is a big political party in India.
For many years, one of its biggest groups of supporters has been people called upper castes.
Lately, these supporters are angry with the party.
It started when the government made new rules for colleges and universities.
The government said these rules would stop unfair treatment of students based on caste.
But many upper-caste students said the rules were unfair and could cause fights between groups.
The Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the country, stopped the new rules for now.
The party recently lost an election in a state called Bihar, and leaders think the angry upper-caste voters helped cause that loss.
Now the party is worried it might lose votes in another big state, Uttar Pradesh.
The party's top leaders are holding meetings to try to calm people down.
The BJP lost the Bankipur bypoll in Bihar, with upper-caste anger over UGC equity regulations cited as a key factor.
The Supreme Court stayed the UGC regulations, warning they could have 'very sweeping consequences' and 'divide society.'
The Rajput Karni Sena held a rally in Jaipur on August 3 against the regulations; police used force to stop marchers headed to the BJP office.
UP BJP leaders from Brahmin and Thakur communities say anger over the regulations and exam paper leaks is simmering and hard to pacify.
BJP president Nitin Nabin urged party colleagues in closed-door meetings not to panic, saying the government would course-correct.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, upper-caste Brahmin, Thakur and Rajput voters in Uttar Pradesh, the Rajput Karni Sena, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the Supreme Court.
- What
- Fear that upper-caste anger over UGC equity regulations, which contributed to the BJP's Bankipur bypoll defeat in Bihar, could cost the party support in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections.
- Where
- India, chiefly Uttar Pradesh, with related events in Bihar (Bankipur bypoll), Rajasthan (Jaipur rally), and Delhi (Jantar Mantar protest).
- When
- In the run-up to the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections; the regulations were notified in January and the Rajput Karni Sena rally took place in Jaipur on August 3.
- Why
- Upper-caste voters believe the UGC regulations and the BJP's focus on OBCs, Dalits and other marginalised groups overlook them, and the BJP fears losing Uttar Pradesh could threaten its hold on power at the Centre in 2029.
Government / UGC
Upper-caste protesters
UGC equity regulations
Government / UGC
The regulations aim to address caste-based discrimination and prejudice in higher education institutions.
Upper-caste protesters
The rules could create divisions on caste lines and lead to 'harassment' of general-category students; protesters demand their withdrawal.
BJP's support base strategy
Government / UGC
The party must expand its support among OBCs, Dalits and other marginalised groups.
Upper-caste protesters
Upper castes are the BJP's most committed vote base and are being taken for granted, with policies tailored to other categories.
Upper-caste voting behaviour in 2027
Government / UGC
Some BJP leaders believe upper castes will still vote for the party despite publicly expressing anger.
Upper-caste protesters
Some Brahmins say they may vote for the BSP, and upper castes threaten to vote against the BJP in 2027 as Thakurs did in 2024.
Key facts
- UGC regulations notified
- January this year
- Supreme Court action
- Stayed the regulations, warning of 'very sweeping consequences' and risk of dividing society
- Rajput Karni Sena rally
- August 3, Jaipur; police used force to stop the march to the BJP office
- Bankipur bypoll
- BJP defeat; upper-caste anger over UGC rules identified as a key factor
- BJP 2024 Lok Sabha tally
- Fell to 33 seats from 62 in 2019
- BJP president
- Nitin Nabin, who urged members not to panic over the UGC issue
- Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
- Resigned after student protests over exam paper leaks
- Next UP assembly elections
- 2027
Quotes
BJP leader
Member of the BJP
“It began with the Ambedkarites. Then the Left entered the protest. But it was the large participation and sympathy from the upper castes that made the movement difficult to handle.”
indianexpress.com










