Which of the following statements is not correct regarding politics in India by L. I. Rudolph and S. H. Rudolph ?

Correct option is C

Statement 1:
"Politics in India is not a class politics."
Correct: The Rudolphs argued that Indian politics is not primarily driven by class struggle, as in Marxist theory. Instead, it is shaped by a complex interplay of caste, religion, region, and other social identities. They emphasized the importance of "demand groups" and "interest groups" in Indian politics rather than rigid class divisions.

Statement 2:
"Politics in India is centrist politics."
Correct: The Rudolphs described Indian politics as centrist, meaning that it avoids extreme ideological positions (e.g., far-left socialism or far-right capitalism). The Indian National Congress, which dominated Indian politics for decades, exemplified this centrist approach by balancing socialist policies with capitalist reforms.

Statement 3:
"Indian state as a 'capitalist state' invoked 'capitalism' in pursuit of public sector and state planning."
Incorrect: This statement is not consistent with the Rudolphs' analysis. They argued that the Indian state was not a purely capitalist state. Instead, it adopted a mixed economy model, combining elements of socialism (e.g., public sector dominance, state planning) with limited capitalism. The state played a significant role in economic planning and regulation, which is not characteristic of a purely capitalist state.

Statement 4:
"State negotiates between labour and capital as an autonomous body."
Correct: The Rudolphs viewed the Indian state as an autonomous actor capable of mediating between conflicting interests, such as labour and capital. They argued that the state was not entirely controlled by any single group but acted independently to balance competing demands and maintain stability.