Caste, Class and Political Participation in Karnataka: A Case Study of Uttara Kannada District

Caste and class are important aspects in understanding political participation, representation, leadership, and access to political opportunity in India. Democracy guarantees political equality, social identity. Economic inequalities influence citizens' participation in political process. This study examines the relationship between caste, class, and political participation in Uttara Kannada district. It stresses on political awareness, electoral participation, local governance, political representation, and regional development priorities. The study adopted a case-study method supported by a questionnaire administered to 100 respondents. The data indicate that 78% of respondents believe caste impacts political participation and leadership to a great or some extent, while 90% agree or strongly agree that economic status affects participation in political activities. Furthermore, 70% never participating in local governance activities, and 70% believe disadvantaged communities do not have adequate opportunities for political representation. The findings highlight the importance of examining social identity alongside economic interests and institutional accessibility. The study concludes that inclusive political participation requires stronger local governance, effective representation, public awareness, and attention to regional development needs.