Historic factors could stymie Hindutva designs in Karnataka: leading UK scholar

Bengaluru: BS Yeddyurappa’s return to the state politics weeks ago has kept people guessing—what he is up to?

James Manor, who is from the School of Advanced studies at the University of London and a longtime observer of the Karnataka politics and society, says the BJP is giving ‘prominence’ to Yeddyurappa to retain Lingayat support following the perceived failure of Chief Minister Bommai to ‘ inspire enthusiasm’ among his Lingayat community.

Emphasis on Yeddyurappa can help the BJP ‘combine an appeal’ on caste with its effort to ‘arouse enmity between Hindus and minorities’, BQ Prime reported based on an interview with James Manor.

The efforts to garner Lingayat support is not necessarily signaling that polarization has failed; only election results can show how successful it has been, according to James Manor.

‘Using a caste based appeal may be an alternative to polarisation, or an add-on to it’, Manor was quoted as saying.

When asked about why Hindutva forces have only a ‘pocketed impact’ in the state unlike the ‘overarching narrative’ in Utter Pradesh, Manor turned to the history of the state for explanation.

The explanation for why polarisation is limited to a few pockets is very complex, he said, adding that it owes to moderate approach to minorities, especially, by Yeddyurappa.

While making efforts to reassure Muslim of ensuring their protection, Yeddyurappa did not believe in polarisation as a source of broader support.

As a result, the BJP’s recent drive to rely on polarisation to new votes may have limited appeal, Manor said.

Going further down for explanation he said it has to do with the political culture of the state where land was more evenly distributed than in other Indian regions.

Given this, members of the disadvantaged groups including lower caste Hindus or Muslim have ‘ minimal economic resources and autonomy’ making caste hierarchies ‘ less steep and less harsh’ than in many other Indian states. As a result, communal relations are less bitter, he added.

When asked about Modi factor in Karnataka he said PM Modi’s s campaign will win the BJP some support but people since 1983 are ‘perceptive, sophisticated and wide awake’ enough to see through the excitement that Modi creates.

After the polls, ‘he will stay in New Delhi and they will be left facing the state BJP leadership’, Manor was quoted as saying.