KARNATAKA DALITS(SC/STs) ARE ROLE MODEL IN POLITICS FOR REST OF INDIA FOR POLITICAL POWER.10.01.25.
In front of Vidhan Sabha.Karnataka.
(1)///////In Karnataka
Congress is very close to Dalits of Karnataka,but Few 'Visible' Faces, Freebies, And A Perception Battle — Karnataka BJP Struggles With Dalit Outreach Despite Efforts
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced a stark reality check following the Karnataka's 2024 Lok Sabha elections when it lost four crucial Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved seats — Kalaburagi, Chamarajanagara, Raichur, and Bellary.
The setback was further amplified when a senior SC leader publicly expressed frustration over being denied a cabinet berth post-election.
These incidents bring to light a deeper crisis: The BJP's struggle to build strong SC leadership and overcome its image as an "upper-caste party" in Karnataka. The party's challenges with the Scheduled Caste community run deeper than mere electoral mathematics, touching upon fundamental issues of representation, perception, and political strategy.
The Numbers Tell a Story
Karnataka's political landscape is significantly shaped by its Scheduled Caste population, which comprises 17.5 per cent of the state's total population according to the 2011 census. This demographic reality translates into substantial electoral influence, with 36 assembly seats reserved for SCs and their presence significantly impacting outcomes in many general seats.
The reserved constituencies are spread across various regions of Karnataka, from the northern districts to the southern parts of the state, making SC voters a crucial factor in state-wide electoral calculations. The BJP's performance in these constituencies tells a story of consistent struggle. In the 2023 Assembly elections, the party managed to win only seven of the 36 SC-reserved seats, while Congress secured 21.
This dramatic difference becomes even more significant when considering that in 2018, the BJP had won 24 of the combined SC and ST reserved seats. The sharp decline in performance suggests a deeper disconnect between the party and SC voters, one that goes beyond simple electoral strategy.
Understanding this decline requires examining the complex composition of Karnataka's SC population. The community is broadly divided into three main categories: 'Right' Dalits (predominantly Holeyas), 'Left' Dalits (mainly Madigas), and 'Touchable' Dalits (including groups like Lambanis and Bhovis). Each of these groups has distinct political aspirations and social dynamics, making a one-size-fits-all approach ineffective.
The Historical Context
The relationship between SC voters and political parties in Karnataka has been shaped by decades of social justice movements and political representation. The political consciousness of Dalits in the state was fundamentally shaped by leaders like B. Basavalingappa and D. Devaraj Urs, who championed affirmative action and social justice in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Urs, in particular, implemented transformative policies that benefited backward classes and Dalits, establishing a framework for caste-based political mobilisation that continues to influence Karnataka politics today.
Congress's historical connection with SC communities was built through these movements and strengthened through consistent leadership development and representation. The party's approach wasn't limited to electoral politics; it involved sustained engagement with Dalit intellectuals, activists, and community leaders. This created a deep-rooted network of support that the BJP has found difficult to penetrate.
The evolution of SC political consciousness in Karnataka has been marked by several key phases. The initial period of post-independence consolidation saw the emergence of Dalit voices within the Congress framework. This was followed by a period of assertion and independent political mobilisation in the 1970s and 1980s, with many Lingayat leaders emerging as its chief ministers. The 1990s and early 2000s saw the rise of new political formations and realignments, but Congress maintained its position as the primary political vehicle for SC aspirations.
The Leadership Vacuum
The stark contrast in SC leadership between the BJP and Congress represents one of the most visible manifestations of the BJP's challenge. Congress has cultivated a strong lineup of SC leaders across different sub-communities and regions. Mallikarjun Kharge, who rose from state politics to become the Congress national president, set a template for many other leaders to emerge who emulated Kharge’s model of leadership development. His journey from a local leader to heading India's oldest political party set a powerful narrative of political empowerment.
Beyond Kharge, Congress boasts of leaders like Dr G Parameshwara, whose tenure as Deputy Chief Minister broke new ground for SC representation in Karnataka's power structure. K.H. Muniyappa's long stint as Union Minister displayed the party's willingness to entrust significant responsibilities to SC leaders. The current crop of younger leaders like Priyank Kharge and Satish Jarkiholi represents continuity in this tradition of leadership development.
In contrast, the BJP's SC leadership appears thin and lacks mass appeal. While leaders like Govind Karjol and A. Narayanaswamy have held significant positions, they haven't emerged as unifying figures comparable to their Congress counterparts. The recent appointment of Chalavadi Narayanaswamy as Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, while significant, is viewed by many as too little, too late.
This leadership vacuum isn't merely about numbers; it's about the quality and nature of representation.
Congress's SC leaders have often been given autonomous decision-making power and real political authority. In contrast, BJP’s SC leaders are often seen as dependent on the party's upper-caste leadership for political direction and support.
The Perception Battle
The BJP faces a fundamental challenge in Karnataka: its image as a party primarily representing upper-caste interests. As Dr Sandeep Shastri, a well-known political observer who tracks Karnataka politics closely, explains, "The BJP has been able to make an impact limited to those communities within the SC fold who are sold on the whole Hindutva narrative or align with the cause." This perception is deeply rooted and reinforced through multiple channels. The party's organisational structure, leadership composition, and political messaging often inadvertently confirm this image despite attempts to broaden its appeal.
Several factors contribute to this perception:
The limited ministerial representation during BJP's tenure stands in sharp contrast to Congress's approach. While the current Congress government has six Dalit ministers holding significant portfolios, the BJP's previous government had only two SC ministers. This numerical disparity sends a powerful message about each party's commitment to SC representation.
The BJP's political strategy in Karnataka has traditionally revolved around consolidating support among dominant castes, particularly Lingayats and Vokkaligas. While this approach has brought electoral success, it has reinforced the party's image as primarily serving upper-caste interests. The focus on these communities often comes at the cost of developing deeper connections with SC voters.
Controversial statements by party leaders on reservation and social justice issues have further damaged the BJP's standing among SC voters. These statements, even when retracted or clarified, leave lasting impressions and feed into the narrative of the BJP being unsympathetic to Dalit concerns.
The party's ideological position on various social issues sometimes conflicts with the aspirational politics of SC communities. Dr Shastri observes that "the BJP suffered a setback in reserved constituencies because of a perception that was formed after certain leaders made 'anti-reservation' and anti-Constitution remarks." While the BJP banks on cultural nationalism and Hindu unity, many SC voters make social justice and economic empowerment their priority while exercising their political choices.
The Internal Reservation Complexity
The issue of internal reservations within the SC quota coats another layer of complexity in the BJP’s relationship with SC communities. The Basavaraj Bommai government's attempt to introduce a sub-quota formula — allocating 6 per cent for 'Left' Dalits, 5.5 per cent for 'Right' Dalits, and 4.5 per cent for 'Touchable' Dalits — was a courageous move despite the obvious challenges inherent in implementing such reforms.
The internal reservation debate brought to front the conflicting interests within the SC community itself. The Madiga community categorised as 'Left' Dalits, have long argued that they receive a disproportionately small share of reservation benefits compared to Holeyas ('Right' Dalits). The Banjara community's protests against the sub-quota formula went on to show how attempts to address these disparities can create new political challenges instead of addressing unresolved ones.
The BJP's handling of this issue showcased the difficulties in balancing different sub-caste interests. While the party was somewhat successful in initiating the long-standing demands for internal reservation, the implementation process and resulting protests highlighted the need for more extensive consultation and consensus-building within SC communities.
Failed Attempts at Course Correction
The BJP has made several attempts to strengthen its position among SC voters, but these efforts have often fallen short of creating a lasting impact. Former state executive member of the SC Morcha, Bhargavi Dravid, points to recent initiatives: "Just recently, the BJP organised the Badalavanegagi Bhima Samavesha (Ambedkar for Change) and Madiga Munnade (Madigas Forward) program in the Bengaluru headquarters of the party. Even Yediyurappa ji (B S Yediyurappa) was pleasantly taken aback seeing the number of SC leaders present during the event." However, while well-intentioned, these programs have not translated into sustained political support.
The party has tried to create organisational structures ensuring community representation, but these efforts often appear more formal than substantive. The SC Morcha, the party's dedicated wing for SC affairs, hasn't evolved into a powerful platform for articulating and addressing community concerns.
The appointment of SC leaders to key positions, while important symbolically, hasn't addressed the fundamental issue of developing mass leaders from the community. P Rajeev, one of the general secretaries of BJP Karnataka, defends the party's approach: "I'm myself a Lambani, there are many other leaders within the party who have risen ranks like N Mahesh, A Narayanswamy, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Prabhu Chavan to name a few. It's wrong to say that the BJP is meant only for certain communities."
However, Dr Sandeep Shastri offers a different perspective: "There's one major perception battle that the BJP must overcome, which is that there are no 'visible' mass leaders from the community. There is a growing sentiment that the party believes in mere tokenism." This contradiction between the party's claims and public perception illustrates the depth of the BJP's challenge.
The Road Ahead
The BJP's inability to secure significant SC support has profound implications for its electoral prospects in Karnataka. Without strong backing from this crucial demographic, the party has struggled to cross the magic mark of 113 seats needed for forming a government on its own. This electoral mathematics makes addressing the SC challenge not just desirable but essential for the party's future in Karnataka.
To address this challenge, the party needs to implement comprehensive changes at multiple levels:
Leadership Development: The BJP needs to invest in identifying and nurturing SC leaders who can emerge as mass leaders. This requires giving them real political power and autonomy, not just ceremonial positions.
Policy Orientation: The party needs to develop and articulate clear policies addressing SC concerns about education, employment, and social justice. As Bhargavi Dravid acknowledges, "It is difficult to defeat that sentiment unless we have something else to offer or an alternative at the very least where we can prove that these schemes are not helping them in anyway." These policies need to go beyond welfare measures to address structural inequalities.
Organisational Changes: The party's organisational structure needs to reflect genuine power-sharing with SC leaders and communities. This includes representation in decision-making bodies and key party positions.
Cultural Transformation: The BJP needs to work on changing its image from being an "upper-caste party" to one that genuinely represents all sections of society. This requires both symbolic and substantive changes in how the party operates.
The BJP's SC challenge in Karnataka is not just about winning reserved seats; it's about transforming its fundamental relationship with a significant portion of the state's population. Until the party can convince SC voters that it represents their interests genuinely and not just symbolically, this crucial voting bloc will likely remain an electoral challenge.
The recent electoral setbacks and public discontent among SC leaders serve as a wake-up call for the BJP. As Karnataka's political landscape continues to evolve, the party's ability to address these challenges may well determine its future in the state. The path forward requires not just a political strategy but a fundamental rethinking of how the party engages with SC communities and their aspirations.
Sharan Setty (Sharan K A) is an Associate Editor at Swarajya. He tweets at @sharansetty2.
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Bharath Joshi
Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa.
Credit: DH File Photo
Bengaluru: Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said on Thursday that “nobody can stop us” from discussing issues concerning Dalits.
Mahadevappa also wondered why Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala asked Home Minister G Parameshwara to postpone a dinner meet-up of SC/ST ministers scheduled on Wednesday.
“Dalit issues will be discussed always. We were, are and will keep discussing them. Who’s there to say that we shouldn’t discuss Dalit issues? Nobody can stop us. We won’t listen to whoever says we shouldn’t,” Mahadevappa, a Dalit, said.
Political speculation
The postponement of Wednesday’s dinner meet-up has annoyed SC/ST ministers in Congress. The high command was worried about optics after a dinner meeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had with Ministers Mahadevappa, Satish Jarkiholi, Parameshwara and K N Rajanna earlier this month caused political speculation.
On Wednesday, Rajanna was so upset that he asked if the Congress high command was anti-SC/STs.
Mahadevappa said the Congress had organised an SC/ST convention in Chitradurga ahead of the 2023 Legislative Assembly election.
“That resulted in Congress winning 135-136 seats. Dalits are the base of Congress. So, I don’t think anybody will come in the way (of discussing Dalit issues),” Mahadevappa said.
“We should ask why Surjewala got (Wednesday’s) meeting postponed,” he added.
The minister, however, maintained that there was no confusion within the Congress.
Earlier in the day, Parameshwara also maintained that there was no confusion in the party.
He said the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting will be held on January 13. “The agenda is still not known. There’s no confusion. Where’s the confusion?” he said.
To a question on whether the dinner meet-up plan had caused anxiety among a section of Congress leaders, Parameshwara said: “Who caused anxiety to whom? I don’t know. As far as I know, no one is anxious and there’s no need for it. Have we ever said the meeting will be organised outside the party forum?”
Bus services hit by bandh in Mysuru, shops remained closed in protest against remarks of Amit Shah about Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Activists gathered near suburban bus stand in the morning and blocked the road, preventing KSRTC buses from plying to destinations outside the city
Updated - January 07, 2025 05:22 pm IST - mysuru
Activists of Dalit and backward classes’ organisations gathered near suburban bus stand in the morning and blocked the road, preventing KSRTC buses from plying to destinations outside Mysuru, in protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks against Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. The activists had called for a bandh in Mysuru from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 7, 2024. | Photo Credit: M A Sriram
City bus services were hit while shops and business establishments in the Central Business District of Mysuru remained closed on January 7 in response to a call for a bandh given by Dalit and backward classes organisations in protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks against Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
Activists of various Dalit organisations and Karnataka State Backward Classes’ Awareness Forum gathered near the suburban bus stand with an effigy of Mr Amit Shah and shouted slogans against him. Congress leaders, led by Mysuru district Congress president B. J. Vijaykumar, took out a march through the D. Devaraj Urs Road to protest against the Union Minister’s remarks.
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Karnataka Government’s Social Audit System Ensures Quality Food in SC Hostels—India’s First Model, Explained
Hostel wardens are required to upload GPS-tagged and timestamped images of meals daily. The pilot project is operational in 293 institutions across Bidar, Raichur, and Chamarajanagar districts. Images are uploaded three times a day—during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Bengaluru – Complaints about the quality of food and hygiene in SC/ST hostels run by Social Welfare Departments across India have been widespread. Reports of worms in flour, insects in pulses, substandard spices, and stale or spoiled meals are common.
However, the Karnataka government has introduced an innovative social audit system to address such grievances, ensuring food quality and transparency. This initiative establishes India’s first model for public monitoring, giving parents, the media, and the general public access to real-time food quality reviews.
Under this system, anyone from anywhere in the country can view timestamped images of breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in Karnataka’s Social Welfare Department-run hostels. These images verify that students are receiving quality food on time.
Pilot Project
Launched in December 2024, this project began as a pilot initiative in three of Karnataka’s most backward districts. Its success and enthusiastic public feedback have encouraged the government to expand it statewide. The pilot initially covered 293 hostels in Bidar, Chamarajanagar, and Raichur districts.
The Social Welfare Department of Karnataka, established on October 18, 1956, was founded to cater to the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), women, and children. Currently, it primarily focuses on SC welfare.
The idea for the pilot project emerged from discussions and meetings between Minister HC Mahadevappa and students living in hostels managed by the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS).
Scale of Operations
Karnataka has over 2,500 KREIS hostels that provide meals to more than 4.5 lakh students daily. Students often shared complaints with Mahadevappa about poor food quality and delays in meal service. Despite a fixed government-mandated menu for three meals a day, deviations from the menu and inconsistencies in meal timings were frequently reported.
For example, breakfast scheduled at 8:30 AM was often served late, delaying students’ departure for school or college. These recurring issues led the Social Welfare Ministry to implement the new social audit system to ensure balanced nutrition, timely meals, and proper hygiene for growing children.
On a pilot basis selected government schools and hostels are sharing daily photos of breakfast, lunch, and dinner on their official X accounts (Twitter). The web page centralize these updates, making it easy for parents, stakeholders, and officials to track meal quality statewide. This initiative, involving KREIS schools and Social Welfare Department hostels, aims to enhance public trust and provide real-time insights into student nutrition.
How the Social Audit System Works
Leveraging the widespread use of social media, the initiative mandates all hostels to create Twitter handles. Hostel wardens are required to upload GPS-tagged and timestamped images of meals daily. The pilot project is operational in 293 institutions across Bidar, Raichur, and Chamarajanagar districts. Images are uploaded three times a day—during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A 30-member control room monitors these posts and comments, ensuring accountability. Additionally, a dashboard on the department’s website lists all participating institutions’ social media handles. Parents and stakeholders can easily access updates and provide feedback.
For instance, if someone wants to check a specific school, they can view four daily images: students eating meals, the cooks, the kitchen area, and the timestamp. Officials regularly monitor these parameters. Public engagement through likes and comments motivates staff to maintain quality or make improvements based on feedback.
Senior IAS officer and Principal Secretary Social Welfare, Captain P Manivannan stated, “Sitting 600 kilometers away in Bengaluru, one can check details about dinner served at a government residential school in Bagdal, Bidar. Images of food, the kitchen, and the timestamp are uploaded within minutes of service. This transparency initiative is a revolutionary step by the Social Welfare Department, which operates these schools, enabling social auditing.”
Each image must include GPS location and timestamps, along with visuals of the menu chart, clean kitchens, and children consuming meals. Strict guidelines ensure the inclusion of such details, guaranteeing accountability and confirming that students are eating the food served.
Real-Time Monitoring and Public Accessibility
Images uploaded on the department’s website, http://foodswdgok.in, can be easily viewed by anyone. Additionally, a 24/7 helpline (+91 94823 00400) is available for queries and complaints about food quality.
The second phase, set to launch on January 26, will expand the initiative to seven more districts, covering 946 hostels. The government plans to bring over 3,000 hostels and schools statewide under this system.
Launched as a full-fledged pilot on December 1, 2024, this initiative aims to ensure accountability and real-time monitoring in schools and hostels managed by KREIS, serving marginalized communities, particularly Scheduled Castes. By leveraging technology and social media, this project promotes transparency and public participation, setting a precedent for similar models across India.
Courtesy : The Mooknayak
Amit Shah should bow down before Ambedkar statue and apologise: Karnataka Dalit groups
At the demonstration against Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks about B R Ambedkar, leaders also support CM Siddaramaiah and minister Priyank Kharge against BJP's 'politics of conspiracy'.
- By: Express News Service
- The protesters demanded that Shah publicly apologise by bowing down before an Ambedkar statue for his statement in Parliament. (Express File Photo)
As a culmination of protests and bandhs held across Karnataka over the past month condemning Union Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about B R Ambedkar, a union of Dalit organisations held a demonstration at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on Thursday.
The protesters demanded that Shah publicly apologise by bowing down before an Ambedkar statue for his statement in Parliament. They also supported Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleague Priyank Kharge against the “politics of conspiracy” that they alleged the BJP was pursuing in the Congress-ruled state.
Speaking at the demonstration, author and activist Indudhar Honnapur said Shah did not deserve to continue as the home minister of the country. “Shah should bow down in front of Ambedkar’s statue and publicly apologise. If (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is a responsible leader and has even a speck of respect for Ambedkar, then he should sack Shah,” he said.
During the winter session of Parliament in December last year, Shah triggered a row by saying that it had become a fashion to chant “Ambedkar”. “If they chanted God’s name as many times, they would be in heaven for seven lives,” the BJP leader added in the Rajya Sabha.
“The BJP and the RSS are trying to fool Dalits using Ambedkar’s name,” Honnapur further said, accusing them of trying to appropriate Ambedkar despite being opposed to his ideals.
Prominent Dalit activist Mavalli Shankar condemned SC/ST leaders who have not criticised Shah’s remarks about Ambedkar, alleging that the lives of all Dalits were getting worse because of some individuals in the community who have become “slaves”.
The convenor of the Shoshitha Samudayagala Maha Okkoota, the union, also extended support to Siddaramaiah and Kharge.
Dalit activists seek Amit Shah’s resignation
DSS stages protest against Home Minister
Published - January 04, 2025 08:03 pm IST - Belagavi
Amit Shah | Photo Credit: File Photo
Members of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti took out a protest against Union Minister Amit Shah alleging that he had insulted B.R. Ambedkar at a recent Parliament session. They held a rasta roko protest at the Rani Channamma Circle. They held placards and shouted slogans against Mr. Shah, demanding his resignation.
The protesters marched from Dr. Ambedkar Garden to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. They shouted slogans against the BJP and burnt an effigy of the Minister.
“Dr. Ambedkar’s contribution to the country is immense. Objectionable remarks about him by Mr. Shah or anyone else are not acceptable. Such people should be dropped from the Cabinet,” leader Kallappa Kamble said.
Siddappa Kamble urged Mr. Shah to seek a public apology for his reported statements. Leaders Mahantesh Talwar, Maruti Kamble, Mahadev Talwar, Seetavva Jogulbavi and others were present.
Published - January 04, 2025 08:03 pm IST
Bandh observed in Mandya to protest against Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar
Published - January 07, 2025 08:33 pm IST -
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