– His solo-authored classic. Chapter 3 or 4 often deals directly with caste. “Page 15” in this book (depending on edition) falls early in the second chapter, where he introduces the concept of the “Congress System” and its caste underpinnings.
: Over time, the expression of caste in politics has evolved. The rise of lower-caste parties and the assertion of backward castes have marked significant shifts. Movements like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which specifically represents Dalit (formerly known as "untouchable") interests, and the Janata Dal (United), which has strong roots among the backward castes, illustrate this change. Rajni Kothari Caste In Indian Politics 15.pdf
For decades, Western modernization theory predicted that caste would wither away with industrialization, urbanization, and electoral politics. Kothari turned this assumption on its head. He argued that caste had not only survived but had become more politically relevant—not as a ritual hierarchy, but as a democratic pressure group. – His solo-authored classic