Caste, Conversion, and the Fracturing of Punjab's Dalit Vote

Every election cycle in Punjab brings renewed attention to videos of Dalit men undergoing baptism, a spectacle often framed as a crisis of faith. Yet, observers note, this is less about religion and more about a deep-seated crisis of dignity in a society where caste hierarchies persist despite promises of equality.

Sikhism's founding principle of a casteless sangat has not translated into practice. Dalits often find doors closed within traditional religious institutions, unable to assume roles like Granthis. This exclusion pushes many towards Christianity or the Ravidassia movement, seeking a space where they are not junior partners. The irony is that caste distinctions do not dissolve at the baptismal font; they merely reappear in new forms, even as some from privileged Jat backgrounds establish their own ministries.

This social churn has profound political implications. Dalits constitute nearly a third of Punjab's electorate and are decisive in 34 reserved constituencies. Their vote, however, is not monolithic. The 2022 assembly elections saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sweep 29 of these seats on a platform of welfare and anti-incumbency, following the failure of the Congress's experiment with Charanjit Singh Channi as Chief Minister.

The political response to conversions has been fraught. The BJP has promised to ban conversions if elected, a claim the Akal Takht has dismissed as propaganda. Christian leaders object to these narratives, pointing to the constitutional right to freedom of religion and emphasizing peaceful coexistence. Meanwhile, the ruling AAP has made overtures to the Christian community, including funding for community halls.

Adding to the volatile mix are recurring instances of casteist remarks from political leaders across parties. Recent comments by Congress leaders Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Partap Singh Bajwa, as well as a past incident involving BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, have inflamed tensions. Former Chief Minister Channi has also voiced frustration over the lack of Dalit representation in top party posts. These incidents highlight a persistent gap between political rhetoric and the lived reality of caste discrimination, leaving Dalit voters at a crossroads of identity, faith, and political delivery.