ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Articles by ShivasundarSubscribe to Shivasundar

Understanding Ambedkar from the Cauvery Valley

Indian democracy today lacks trustworthy leadership and an inclusive politics capable of producing an atmosphere conducive to the resolution of disputes, especially water disputes. Even so, there are some important lessons from B R Ambedkar for the Cauvery dispute.

The Defeat of Saffron in Karnataka

With the debacle of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Karnataka 2013 assembly elections, the Congress takes over the reins of the state. Blatant corruption, aggressive Hindutva and factionalism have led to the demise of the saffron party in the southern state. An analysis of the election results shows that even though the gains of the Congress are not that dramatic, the voters have delivered a clear mandate against the politics represented by the BJP.

The Defeat of Saffron in Karnataka

With the debacle of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Karnataka 2013 assembly elections, the Congress takes over the reins of the state. Blatant corruption, aggressive Hindutva and factionalism has led to the demise of the saffron party in the southern state. A region-wide analysis of the election results show that even though the gains of the Congress are not that dramatic, the voters have delivered a clear mandate. A political analysis of the results indicates a serious setback to the BJP.

Political Arithmetic of Yeddyurappa's 'Secularism'

B S Yeddyurappa has declared his new Karnataka Janata Party's secular beliefs, but it would be reckless to support him just because he can wreck the Bharatiya Janata Party's chances of returning to power. Rhetoric aside, Yeddyurappa's and the KJP's ideological affi nity to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh remains and this cannot be wished away.

Questions over Arrests of Muslim Youth in Karnataka

The police version of events and the so-called evidence obtained so far after arresting 19 Muslim youth in Karnataka on terror charges in August and September leaves many questions unanswered.

BJP in Karnataka: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

In Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party has been essentially thriving by working through caste - specifi cally on the consolidated support of upper caste Lingayats - and not on the basis of a broader Hindutva ideology. The irony is that the tenets of Lingayat ideology are inspired by the liberal humanism espoused by the 12th century poet-philosopher-reformer Basavanna and his followers and this philosophical position is in direct antagonism with the Hindutva ideology. But then "Basava Dharma" as practised and preached by most of the Lingayat maths in Karnataka today is in tune with Hindutva.

Back to Top