Volume-XII, Special Issue, April 2026 |
একবিংশ শতাব্দীর ভারতে ডিজিটাল গণতন্ত্র, বর্ণপ্রথা এবং নাগরিকত্ব চণ্ডী চরণ লেট, গবেষক, আন্তর্জাতিক সম্পর্ক বিভাগ, যাদবপুর বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, কলকাতা, পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, ভারত |
Received: 05.04.2026 | Accepted: 07.04.2026 | Published Online: 10.04.2026 | Page No: 108-121 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.12.issue.specialW.274 | |||||||
Digital Democracy, Caste System and Citizenship in 21st Century India Chandi Charan Let, Research Scholar, Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
This paper explains how digital democracy, caste, and citizenship are interconnected in contemporary India. In recent years, digital technologies have rapidly expanded, and government initiatives such as Digital India and Aadhaar have transformed the functioning of governance. These programs have helped improve transparency, service delivery, and public participation. Today, many people can access information and government services more easily through digital platforms. However, these changes have not eliminated social inequality. The caste system continues to play a significant role in Indian society. Upper-caste groups often enjoy better access to the internet, education, and digital tools, whereas many marginalized communities face difficulties in accessing digital resources. As a result, digital systems sometimes perpetuate or even intensify existing inequalities rather than reducing them. This paper engages with the ideas of B. R. Ambedkar, Jürgen Habermas, and Michel Foucault to analyze both the positive and negative dimensions of digital democracy. While digital systems enable greater participation in various spheres, those who lack access risk being excluded from the social mainstream. The study also examines how digital identity systems like Aadhaar are reshaping the meaning of citizenship. Increasingly, individuals are identified through data rather than rights, which can create challenges for poor and vulnerable populations. At the same time, digital platforms are opening new avenues for Dalit movements to resist discrimination and raise awareness. In conclusion, the paper argues for necessary reforms in digital democracy, emphasizing equality, human rights, and justice to ensure inclusive benefits for all. | ||
Keywords: Digital democracy, caste system, citizenship, digital inequality, Aadhaar (digital identity), Dalit movement |