摘要：In rural Punjab, biradari system and caste hierarchy are the decisive factorsthat determine individuals’ rights to political participation. This study examinesthe political marginalization of members of service-providing caste groupsresiding in villages due to their subordinate position in caste hierarchy.Primary data was collected by interviewing the members of service-providingand landowning caste groups during Local Bodies’ Election, 2015 and GeneralElection, 2013. The study found that the inferior caste status of serviceprovidersrestricts their rights to political participation including rights to vote,contest election, participate in election campaign, and opportunities to acquireleadership roles. Consequently, they are excluded from the system of politicalpatronage that connects villagers with politicians through their biradarirepresentatives. This system of patronage serves the interests of villagers byproviding them access to state institutions, especially police and courts,welfare funds and job opportunities. It is found that with decline in castesystem, members of service-providing caste groups have started to exercisetheir rights to vote in elections.
关键词：Biradari System; Caste Hierarchy; Political Participation; Political;Marginalization; Rural Punjab
