Change of power in Karnataka !

Congress won the Karnataka State elections. When BJP had formed its Government for the first time in Karnataka, they called it the “Gateway to the victorious South”. After the 2018 Karnataka elections, BJP managed to split the established Government of Congress and Janata Dal Secular (JDS) and formed the Government with their rebelled ministers, but it failed to retain the power. Prior to the State elections of 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah held several public gatherings but it seemed like that really did not help. The mishandling of State over the last four years upset people and its outcome was the result of the recent State elections. Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for next year. If BJP intends to retain power at the Centre, it needs to understand people’s sentiments; they must contemplate on BJP’s loss instead of Congress’ victory. BJP did not make up for the trust with which Hindus voted BJP to power and so, they lost the elections. On the other hand, with the Hijab ban and portraying BJP as a villain, Congress managed to secure Muslim votes. Not just in Karnataka but BJP could never secure a majority of Muslim votes in any State of the country. If BJP wants to remain in power, then focusing on Hindu votes is the only way ahead.

Serious introspection necessary !

BJP could retain power in Assam and Uttar Pradesh. Himant Biswa Sarma in Assam and Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh were BJP’s capable leaders to lead the States. Karnataka regretfully lacked such leadership. “Modi” formula has been the face of all BJP’s political campaigns for a decade now. To win State elections with an agenda of Hindutva and development, BJP needs several Modis. BJP should focus on nurturing capable leadership at the State level. BJP could not do much in Punjab and Delhi elections as they lacked the local leadership; this was seen during Karnataka elections too. Additionally, Karnataka’s outgoing BJP Government had corruption allegations against them; the murders of prominent Hindu leaders were not taken care of which culminated into disappointment amongst Hindus. Just before the elections, crores of rupees were seized from BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa’s residence which questioned the very integrity of the BJP that has always been vocal against corruption. One also cannot forget the Lingayat community, which plays a vital role in elections generally. It was upset in recent years as their prominent leader B.S. Yediyurappa was asked to step down from his CM position. BJP must introspect on all these points. One must not look at this defeat as the defeat of Hindutva, because if it were, the picture in Assam and Uttar Pradesh would have been different. Hindus aspire a Hindutva driven development, but even with an opportunity in hand, if the establishment still fails to take necessary actions, Hindus would express their discontentment through votes. Karnataka elections show nothing different. Therefore, after winning the elections, where did we fall short to uplift the Hindutva driven development of the State should thoroughly be introspected by BJP, then alone would they find the way ahead.

Crucial times for the Hindus in Karnataka

Under BJP’s rule in Karnataka, the determination to ban Hijab, Halal and Azaan was prevailing. Few universities had restricted girls from wearing hijab and this turbulently stirred regional politics. This controversy reached the court and the court supported the ban on hijab at schools and universities. Later, a ban on halal meat was making rounds in the State. At the same time, Muslim vendors were prohibited from selling anything outside Hindu temples. Government issued legal notices to the temples along with the mosques and churches using loudspeakers’ more than the permissible decibels. In the year 2021, a law against religious conversion was passed in the State assembly. All this was done under BJP’s rule. Now that Congress is in power, the efforts to ban Halal, Hijab and Azaan would be affected or may be reversed. Under Congress’s rule, the possibility of the atrocities on Hindus by extremists cannot be neglected.

The State election manifesto of Congress declared that with the commencement of power, there would be a ban on Bajrang Dal and PFI (Popular Front of India). Withstanding the Congress’s victory, alongside Bajrang Dal, there are dark clouds hovering over all the other Hindu organisations, because Congress can walk the extra mile to appease Muslims. Between 2006 and 2017, 24 Hindus belonging to BJP and other Hindu organisations were killed in Karnataka. In February 2022, Harsha, a 26-year old Bajrang Dal activist was killed by fanatic Muslims. For the last 60 years that Congress has been in power, numerous prominent Hindus were killed and in most of the cases, the culprits were left free because the Government was ineffective at carrying out investigations. It is quite questionable how Congress with its focus on Muslim appeasement, lawfully help the Hindu victims. Thus, it is a crucial time for the Hindus in Karnataka. Additionally, turning their already pitiable state from bad to worse cannot be ruled out.