‘Youth from families who benefited from land reforms, welfare schemes are now swayed by Hindutva politics’

Youth belonging to second and third generation of families that benefited from the land reforms of the 1970s and other welfare schemes now embracing Hindutva ideology is among the factors responsible for the religious polarisation of communities in the coastal region, especially in Dakshina Kannada, according a legislator who was part of the KPCC’s fact-finding committee that toured the region and looked into this issue.

To counter Hindutva politics, Muslim youth too have been polarising the community on religious identity and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has been sowing seeds of “communal politics” by raising funds, actively mobilising and organising the youth, the legislator said.

Interim report

The KPCC committee, which visited Dakshina Kannada district and met people from all walks of life — from politicians to ordinary citizens — submitted its interim report to party State president and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday.

The legislator told The Hindu that a large section of the backward classes families in the district benefited from the land reforms introduced by the Congress government led by the late D. Devaraj Urs. The next generations of these families, both educated and uneducated, are “intoxicated by the Hindutva ideology”, he said. Hindutva groups have consolidated power by waging hate campaigns against minorities citing what they call historical incidents, the legislator said.

‘Soft attitude’

A “soft attitude” towards Hindutva activists by government officials and the police force and the absence of credible Congress leadership in the region has given rise to communal tendencies, he said. “The Muslims are asking us what have you (Congress) given to us and we are surprised,” the leader said.

The BJP won seven of the eight Assembly constituencies in Dakshina Kannada district in the 2023 elections. The BJP also won the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha seats.

Noting a strong presence of religious-based identities among the people, the member said, “It is difficult to find any prevalence of the secular ideas in the region.” 

Ways of mobilising

Besides increased religious events these days among Hindu and Muslim communities, the member said Hindus have been mobilised and organised through temple renovation programmes, bhajana mandali events and holding functions such as seminars and talks by inviting well-known Hindutva leaders. The BJP leaders have indulged in “negative” politics to counter the “positive” developments raised by the Congress, the leader claimed.

Mangaluru and the regions surrounding it have witnessed three back-to-back murders: the mob lynching of 38-year-old Ashraf from Kerala, the hacking to death of 30-year-old double murder accused Suhas Shetty, and the killing of 32-year-old Abdul Rahiman, general secretary of a local masjid committee. All these deaths ignited communal passions in the region. Following these crimes, the State government has set up a special action force in the sensitive districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga.