Neo-social-groups and their history

In this lecture the term neo-social groups refers to five broad divisions of Indian society: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Other Classes; and minorities (particularly Muslims). The groupings are fuzzy, not well defined, constantly in making, and in the processes of acquiring self-consciousness, and yet, a significant force shaping social action and everyday life. In the 21st century India neo-social groups are emerging as new nationalities and combined with growth of amoral religion they pose a serious threat to unity and integrity of the country. Following Ralf Dahrendorf and Max Weber, one may argue that various divisions in India, such as caste, religion, language etc. have existed for long side by side and have prevented mass uprising of any particular class or nationality and may be a source of resilience in Indian democracy. The point I wish to make is that this was perhaps true in the past. In the emerging scenario neo-social-group identity is emerging as an overriding identity and poses a serious threat to peace and integration. At several places civil society actors, Naxalites, Maoists, dacoits, politicians and intellectuals already seem to be functioning in the new nationalistic framework. A reflexive solution to the issue of neo-social-group nationalism is to be developed if the society has to progress further unabated and counter cessationism, terrorism and other forms of violence.