Can Siddaramaiah, Kharge, Shivakumar, and Rahul Gandhi transform Karnataka into a Dravidian-Bahujan model state? The Dravidian Model, exemplified in Tamil Nadu, and the Arya-Brahmin-Hindu Model, observed in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, are moving in similar directions. The Dravidian Model emphasizes Bahujan ideology, agenda, and leadership, while the Arya-Brahmin-Hindu Model emphasizes Arya-Vedic ideology and allows for upper-caste leadership.
In the recent Karnataka cabinet oath-taking ceremony, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and all the ministers belong to backward castes, Dalits, or tribals. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah comes from the pastoral Kurubi caste, while Deputy Chief Minister D. Shivakumar belongs to the Vokkalinga community, an agricultural backward caste.
Out of the eight ministers, three are Dalits, one is tribal, one is from OBCs, one is Lingayat, and one represents the Muslim and Christian communities. The ministers’ social backgrounds indicate their affiliation with the Bahujan Samaj, a term defined by Hindu theology as Shudra-Atishudra. It’s notable that the cabinet includes Muslims and Christians, whom the RSS-BJP often refers to as “Mlechha.”
The potential for Siddaramaiah, Kharge, Shivakumar, and Rahul Gandhi to shape Karnataka into a Dravidian-Bahujan model state depends on various factors, including the policies they enact, public sentiment, and the overall political landscape. Monitoring the government’s actions and initiatives will provide insights into the state’s direction.
In Karnataka, the majority of the population, around 90 percent, consists of Hindu backward communities, Dalits, and tribals. During the recent elections, the Congress party received significant support from Muslims, Dalits, Kurubas, Adivasis, and OBCs in Karnataka. Muslims make up approximately 12.7 percent of the state’s population, and Congress secured around 70 percent of their votes. Among Dalit voters, who account for about 18 percent of Karnataka’s population, approximately 63 percent voted for the Congress.
The Congress also gained substantial support from the Kuruba community, with 56 percent of their votes, representing about 8 percent of the state’s population. On the other hand, the BJP in Karnataka garnered a significant number of votes from the upper caste population, with 60 percent of them voting for the party.
An analysis of Karnataka’s voting patterns reveals that a majority of the poor, lower middle class, and women voted for the Congress party. Unemployment and poverty were significant issues in the Karnataka elections.
The Congress party’s manifesto included promises of social welfare, increasing the reservation limit, and providing reservation in proportion to the population. They also mentioned the intention to ban the Bajrang Dal, an affiliated organization of the RSS.
In Karnataka, there is an ongoing struggle between the two models. The BJP’s model can be described as an Arya-Brahminist Hindu nation approach, aiming to shape Karnataka based on that ideology. On the other hand, the Dravidian-linguistic Kannada society aligns more closely with the Dravidian model due to its social fabric, ideological-cultural heritage, literature-culture, language, and economic prosperity.
The Dravidian model encompasses several key features. Firstly, it involves a rejection of the Arya-Vedic tradition and a shift towards embracing the Bahujan-Shraman tradition. Secondly, it involves recognizing figures like Periyar and Ambedkar as heroes and establishing a connection with the teachings of Buddha. In Karnataka specifically, there is a recognition of Vasavanna’s heirs, Kulbergi, and Gauri Lankesh as heroes.
Another significant aspect of the Dravidian model is the belief in gender equality, considering women and men as equals in all aspects of life. Gauri Lankesh, in particular, is seen as an embodiment of this principle in Karnataka. The Dravidian model also promotes a sense of pride in Dravidian languages and culture, viewing them as symbols of equality, justice, and fraternity.
Furthermore, the Dravidian model emphasizes accepting religious minorities as equals and acknowledging their rights on par with the majority community. Lastly, the Dravidian model views education, healthcare, housing, employment, and social security as the responsibilities of the state. It advocates for robust social welfare programs to ensure the well-being of society as a whole.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mallikarjun Kharge, both hailing from Karnataka, personally embrace the ideology and culture of Bahujan-Shraman. They do not adhere to the traditional Hindu belief in gods and goddesses. Kharge, in particular, follows the teachings of Buddha. With Mallikarjun Kharge holding the position of Congress President, Siddaramaiah serving as the Chief Minister, and Rahul Gandhi currently advocating for caste census, increased reservation in proportion to the population, and challenging the ideology of RSS, the possibility arises for Karnataka to be transformed into a Dravidian model state.
Tamil Nadu is considered the model state in India based on the Dravidian model, while Gujarat represents the model state for an Arya-Brahmin Hindu nation. Efforts are also underway to establish Uttar Pradesh as a model reflecting the Arya-Brahmin Hindu nation ideology. If Karnataka adopts the Dravidian model, it would provide an opportunity to remove the RSS-BJP from power permanently and put an end to attempts to convert a Dravidian-minded state into a Hindu-minded one.
The people of Karnataka have expressed their preference for a Dravidian state through their votes. The leadership of the state also aligns with this sentiment. The Congress party’s election campaign, promises, and manifesto, as well as the election of Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister and the composition of the current cabinet, are in line with the principles of the Dravidian model.
Dr. Rajiv Kumar
DAIC, CUG,
Ministry of Social Justice and EmpowermentGovernment of India, 15-Janpath, New Delhi 110001
