Caste corruption communalism issues resonate ahead of polls

Caste corruption communalism issues resonate ahead of polls

Karnataka is headed for Assembly elections on May 10 even as multiple debates rage: on allegations of corruption against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, changes in the caste reservation matrix made at the fag end of the government’s tenure, and an undercurrent of communal narratives. The ruling dispensation is attempting to push back with a narrative of development ushered in by what it calls “double engine sarkar”.

After nearly four years of BJP rule helmed by two Chief Ministers (B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai), elections are being fought when development and governance issues are increasingly clouded by emotional issues drawn on caste and communal lines. Politicians across parties have also acknowledged that caste and money play a key role when ballots are cast. The Election Commission has also acknowledged the menace of money and freebies in Karnataka.

Issues of caste

The BJP has in the last few months increased quantum of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, culled out internal reservation among the Scheduled Castes, created many caste-based corporations, scrapped reservation for Muslims and enhanced reservation for the powerful Vokkaliga and Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities.

The hurriedly redrawn reservation matrix may face legal challenge, while both the Congress and the JD(S) have promised to restore reservation to Muslims under OBC quota if voted to power. Internal reservation has drawn mixed reaction, with Banjara communities launching violent protests in Mr. Yediyurappa’s constituency. The enhancement of reservation to SC/ST awaits inclusion in Schedule 9 of Constitution for protection from legal challenge.

In its bid to woo communities, statues of icons of communities have been unveiled in the recent past across Karnataka and those include Kempe Gowda, the Vokkaliga icon, Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Maratha king, Basavanna and Kittur Rani Chennamma, the icons of Veerashaivas, and Sangolli Rayanna, the Kuruba icon.

Around communalism

Before the caste issues gained prominence, a slew of issues related to communalism had hogged the limelight in Karnataka. The ban on cow slaughter, anti-conversion act, controversy around Muslim girls wearing hijab in classrooms and opposition to using loudspeaker for calling Azaan among others have stoked communal feelings and led to polarisation.

The Congress hopes this will lead to consolidation of Muslim votes in its favour, while the JD(S) too is hoping to benefit. The BJP, on its part, has claimed credit for banning “extremist” PFI, a Muslim organisation.

More recently, the Uri Gowda-Nanje Gowda narrative has been propped by the BJP, by portraying these two characters as “brave soldiers” of the Vokkaliga community who killed the 19th century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan. The king, who died in a battle with the British, is consistently painted as “anti-Hindu” by the BJP.

The Congress has consistently talked of “40% commission government” to highlight alleged rampant corruption in the government. It has also raised allegations of poor governance, poor management during the COVID-19 pandemic, recruitment scams and “step-motherly” treatment to Karnataka by the Centre. The BJP has attempted to counter them by projecting its developmental programmes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has been roped in to inaugurate mega infrastructure projects in recent times to showcase the development agenda and talk of “double engine sarkar”.

Among the projects Mr. Modi inaugurated include Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway, Shivamogga Airport, Terminal 2 of Bengaluru International Airport, laying the foundation for Bengaluru suburban rail, flagging off Vande Bharat train between Mysuru and Chennai via Bengaluru, inauguration of the swanky Sir M. Visvesvaraya Railway Terminal at Baiyyappanhalli. The latest was the inauguration of the highly anticipated Namma Metro line between Krishnarajapura and Whitefield.

Key issues not in debate

Meanwhile, several key issues — such as implementing the long-pending Mahadayi project and Krishna Water Tribunal-2 awards, crucial projects for North Karnataka besides the Mekedatu project across river Cauvery in the South — are almost out of the public narrative. Price rise and unemployment, both affecting livelihoods, too have occupied centre stage.