The village''s unity has recently been threatened by factionalism. Various small groups known as factions have harmed the village''s peace. Rural residents no longer anticipate the leadership of a single individual known as the village headman. The village''s power and authority no longer rests with the headman. The headman has been relegated to the background while the faction leaders enjoy dominating positions. In the villages, the pattern of leadership eventually changed. There is a growing schism between   factions.   Intolerance,   intrigues,   and   violence   have   resulted   from   factions competing   for   power.   The   village''s   tranquilly   is   rapidly   eroding.   This   changing scenario has been a source of deep concern for social thinkers, and sociologists have spent a great deal of time debating it. The village''s unity has recently been threatened by factionalism.  The formation of a faction in the village can be attributed to a number of factors. These causes are motivated by people''s needs. Depending on how the needs are met, they can be classified into four categories: social, economic, political, and psychological.

1. Social causes: Caste feuds, family disputes, and sexual offences are all social causes. These socially disturbing factors will never be eradicated from rural societies.

(i) Casteism  In rural India, casteism is a major source of factionalism. In the villages, a sense of caste superiority is a natural occurrence. Even the Brahmins of the upper caste are divided into groups, each claiming superiority over the others. People   from   higher   castes   are   constantly   attempting   to   not   only   exploit   but   also dominate people from lower castes. People from lower castes form factions in order to protect   themselves   from   exploitation,  discrimination,   and   oppression. Rural factionalism is also fuelled by feelings of caste rivalry. Factions are formed as a result of inter-caste rivalry as well as rivalry among different sections of the same caste.

(ii) Family Feuds  Families who believe they have a higher status than others engage in quarrels and skirmishes with other families. These families form factions in order to exert power, and their victims form factions in order to protect their interests.

(iii) Sexual offences Sexual   offences   by   dominant   groups,   such   as   sexual   harassment,   desecration   of women’s modesty, or adultery, cause tensions in villages.

2. Economic causes: The formation of a faction is based on the economic well-being of a particular group in the village. People   are   compelled   to   form   small   groups   because   they   require   the assistance of others to fulfil their personal or financial needs. During a monetary crisis caused   by   a   sudden   death,   natural   calamity,   insolvency,   or   even   weddings,   each member of the faction tries to help the other. As a result, one of the primary reasons for the faction''s formation is economic security.
3. Political causes: In India, villages are a  significant  source  of  political  power.  As a  result,  political parties try to entice rural voters to join their ranks. Village politics are influenced by political parties. As a result, Gram Panchayat elections are rife with party politics, dividing rural society into various factions. For the most part, casteism determines factionalism in rural India. During elections, people from various castes attempt to gain political clout for their own castes. As a result, they divide themselves into factions. Even members of the same caste are split into various factions for political gain.
4. Psychological causes: The formation of factions is influenced by psychological factors such as loneliness fear and ego satisfaction. People who are afraid of being alone try to fit in with a group. They have the psychological comfort of knowing that they are not alone, and that there is a support system in place to help him in a crisis. Second, those who hold positions of power or honour have an ego that believes they are superior to others. When their ego is hurt, they become vengeful. Because no single person can maintain dominance over others for an extended period of time, such individuals form a coterie or small faction.

Oscar Lewis, a well-known sociologist, has conducted extensive research on Indian village factions. He has identified the following causes of factionalism based on his research.

(i) Property inheritance disputes and quarrels

(ii) Family squabbles over the adoption of a male child as an heir

(iii)  Disputes over land and irrigation rights

(iv) Sexual offences cause disputes and feuds

(v) Murders  

(vi) Rivalries among various castes.

For B. R. Ambedkar, village was ‘a cesspool of factionalism and den of inequity’ due to the practices of caste system.