Karnataka

Trading pearls for sand[i]: BJP and the Panchamasali reservation struggle ಛಲಬೇಕುಶರಣಂಗೆ, ಪರಧನವನೊಲ್ಲೆನೆಂಬ;ಛಲಬೇಕುಶರಣಂಗೆ, ಪರಸತಿಯನೊಲ್ಲೆನೆಂಬ;ಛಲಬೇಕುಶರಣಂಗೆ, ಪರದೈವವನೊಲ್ಲೆನೆಂಬ;ಛಲಬೇಕುಶರಣಂಗೆ, ಲಿಂಗಜಂಗಮಒಂದೇಎಂಬ;ಛಲಬೇಕುಶರಣಂಗೆ, ಪ್ರಸಾದದಿಟವೆಂಬ;ಛಲವಿಲ್ಲದವರಮೆಚ್ಚನಮ್ಮಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವ. Fortitude is needed for the Sharana (devotee) to declare: “I don’t want another’s wealth” Fortitude is needed for the Sharana to declare: “I don’t desire another’s wife” Fortitude is needed for the Sharana to declare: “I will not believe …

Features

Lingayat Community’s demand for Religious Minority status

by rti_adminon July 1, 2022March 20, 2023101

Vinay D Damodar Introduction All over India, the working of party politics bears a marked influence exercised by the caste factor. Even left parties (witness Kerala) have not escaped from the prevailing socio-political atmosphere. In Karnataka, as in several other states, the tussle for political power has evolved on clear lines. Karnataka Assembly Election is …

Policy

Targeting the consumption and sale of meat in India is an attack on the right to food and nutrition

by rti_adminon May 7, 2022March 20, 20233

ಆಹಾರ ನಮ್ಮ ಹಕ್ಕು–ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ Ahara Namma Hakku/Our food, our right Open letter released on 5th May 2022 As a group of concerned activists, doctors, nutritionists, parents, advocates and researchers, we are deeply concerned at the recent irrational attacks on the food habits and nutrition rights of people, in the form of laws, bans and calls to …

Assertion

Hands off my rights!

by rti_adminon February 13, 2022March 20, 202312

Nourin N K Hands off my rights! Like the damaged headlight Of my neighbour’s rickshaw, At first, My country flickered In deadly saffron, Was it a warning? Are we all dead? No! No! No! I see a living ghost, Hovering over Hopeless future. Gates closed, crowds gathered, But you are still too weak to …

Features

On caste and Kannada activism

by rti_adminon February 12, 2022March 20, 202315

Redant I want to examine the discourses that have emerged in the wake of Karnataka state government’s decision to establish a Sanskrit university on a 100-acre plot in Magadi close to Bengaluru at a cost of Rs. 320 crores.[i] While the decision to set up this campus was taken by BJP government headed by …

Assertion

Muslimophobia, Misogyny and Muslimah

by rti_adminon February 10, 2022March 20, 20238

Bobby Kunhu “Just as Muslims have the right to argue that the hijab is not religiously mandated, they should also have the right to argue that it is religiously mandated” Shadi Hamid, The Right to Choose to Wear (or not) Hijab If there is one thing uniform about the history of humankind across geographies, it is the …

Assertion

The Karnataka anti-cow slaughter bill is against the poor

by rti_adminon December 15, 2020March 20, 20231

Dr. Sylvia Karpagam “If India’s politicians had any connect with land and farming, they would understand the organic relationship farmers have with livestock, milk, manure and killing of cows. It is not a Hindu-Muslim issue as the government is trying to project. This is a farmer’s issue” ~ A farmer in Karnataka about the anti-cow slaughter …

Assertion

COVID-19 and a more dangerous virus

by rti_adminon July 28, 2020March 20, 20230

Salman Farissi COVID-19 hit India in March 2020. Nationwide lockdown prohibited all forms of political or religious congregations. Protesters on the streets of India against CAA, NRC, and NPR retreated as responsible human beings but the deep state and the Indian state (RSS-BJP) seem to have been searching for their prey hiding in the lurches. …

Features

Pandemic or not – Elites will be protected

by rti_adminon May 17, 2020March 20, 20230

Rakesh Ram S (SAVARI and Round Table India are doing a series to put together the Bahujan perspective on the Coronavirus pandemic) Anu Ramdas: Welcome Rakesh, thank you for taking the time. Kerala has a very large diaspora and also a large number of people working in different States in India. It has a lot …