Dalit Voters and Their Crucial Role in Haryana’s Political Landscape

Dalit Voters and Their Crucial Role in Haryana’s Political Landscape

Saptrishi Soni:

In the run-up to Haryana’s 2024 elections, the focus has increasingly shifted towards the importance of Dalit voters, particularly as both major political parties—the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress—scramble to secure support from this significant community. Dalit voters make up almost 21% of Haryana’s population, a figure that has steadily risen from 19.3% in 2001 to 20.2% in 2011, as per census data. This rising number indicates the growing electoral importance of the Scheduled Castes (SC), and political parties are now devising targeted strategies to tap into this crucial voter base.

The Dalit population in Haryana is predominantly spread across both rural and urban areas. In rural areas, their population has increased from 21.4% to 22.5%, while in urban areas, it has risen from 14.4% to 15.8%. Certain districts have a significantly high SC population, such as Fatehabad (30.2%), Sirsa (29.9%), and Ambala (26.3%). On the other hand, districts like Nuh (6.9%), Faridabad (12.4%), and Gurgaon (13.1%) have a comparatively lower SC population. These variations influence the political strategies in different parts of the state.

Out of Haryana’s 90 Assembly seats, 17 are reserved for SCs, highlighting the weight of Dalit voters in the overall electoral equation. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP managed to win only 5 of these reserved seats, down from 9 in 2014. On the contrary, the Congress increased its tally, winning 7 seats, and smaller parties like the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) secured 4 seats. The role of SC voters was even more pronounced in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, where Congress led in 11 of the 17 SC-reserved Assembly segments, while its INDIA bloc ally Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led in two. BJP managed to retain only four.

The BJP’s decline among Dalit voters began shortly after its resounding success in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Back then, the party had swept all 10 seats in Haryana, including the SC-reserved seats of Ambala and Sirsa. However, by 2024, the tide had shifted. BJP lost five of its seats, with Congress emerging victorious in both Ambala and Sirsa, signaling a significant erosion of BJP’s Dalit voter base.

One of the major factors that contributed to this shift was the Opposition’s narrative, which portrayed the BJP as a party that could potentially amend the Constitution to the detriment of marginalized communities. This rhetoric resonated deeply with Dalit voters, particularly among sub-communities like the Jatavs, Balmikis, and Dhanaks, many of whom have historically felt marginalized within the power structures of mainstream political parties.

In response, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, along with senior BJP leaders, intensified their outreach to Dalit communities, particularly through schemes like the B R Ambedkar housing scheme. This last-minute push is aimed at reversing the declining support among Dalit voters, which is crucial for the BJP to retain its influence in the state.

On the other hand, Congress has been more successful in building alliances and mobilizing Dalit voters. Their strategy has focused on empowering Dalit leadership within the party, with prominent leaders like Sirsa MP Kumari Selja and state unit chief Udai Bhan taking center stage. Congress has also concentrated on deploying activist groups in areas with significant SC populations, aiming to consolidate the Dalit vote in their favor.

The Congress has not only strengthened its traditional voter base but also formed alliances that cater to the Dalit community’s needs. The INDIA bloc’s outreach, along with targeted campaigning by AAP, has further expanded Congress’ influence in SC-dominated areas, adding momentum to their electoral campaign.

Apart from the Congress and BJP, other political formations are also eyeing the SC vote bank. Two notable alliances—Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), and the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) with Jannayak Janata Party (JJP)—are in the fray, each vying for the support of Dalit voters. While BSP has traditionally enjoyed support from Dalit voters across northern India, its influence in Haryana is still evolving.

The Azad Samaj Party, led by Kanshi Ram’s followers, aims to appeal to a new generation of Dalit voters by emphasizing social justice and economic empowerment. This multi-faceted competition has made Dalit voters the key to unlocking electoral victories in the state.
Despite the lack of a clear caste census, Dalit leaders like Ashok Bharti, head of the National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR), emphasize the significant population of Dalits in Haryana. Bharti points out that Dalits make up nearly 21% of the population, yet their representation in the power structure remains limited. The growing political consciousness among Dalits, coupled with their rising numbers, is bound to influence the outcome of the 2024 Assembly elections.

Both the BJP and Congress are under pressure to ensure that Dalits receive their due share in the power structure. However, only time will tell how these alliances and strategies will play out in the upcoming elections. What remains clear is that Dalit voters will play a decisive role in shaping the political future of Haryana.

Data Insights from SC Population

SC Population Growth (2001-2011): Increased from 19.3% to 20.2%
Rural Areas SC Population: Rose from 21.4% to 22.5%
Urban Areas SC Population: Rose from 14.4% to 15.8%
Districts with High SC Population:
Fatehabad: 30.2%
Sirsa: 29.9%
Ambala: 26.3%
Districts with Low SC Population:
Nuh: 6.9%
Faridabad: 12.4%
Gurgaon: 13.1%
SC Reserved Assembly Seats: 17 out of 90

As Haryana gears up for the 2024 Assembly elections, Dalit voters will remain at the heart of every political party’s strategy. The BJP, Congress, and regional parties are all vying for the support of this crucial community. With 17 SC-reserved Assembly seats and a significant SC population, Dalit voters will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in deciding the state’s next government.

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