The Mandal Commission Legacy: How Reservation Policy Transformed India's Social and Political Landscape

Nov 06, 2025 10:17 am CST

This article examines the profound impact of the Mandal Commission recommendations implemented by Prime Minister VP Singh in 1990, establishing 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government positions. The policy triggered nationwide protests, transformed India's political landscape by empowering regional parties with backward caste bases, and led to the rise of leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav. The article traces BP Mandal's life journey from his fight against caste discrimination to heading the commission whose recommendations continue to shape India's social justice framework.