Caste and Religion in Karnataka Politics: Detailed Analysis

Introduction and Background

Karnataka politics is shaped by caste and religion. Unlike Tamil Nadu, where Dravidian parties dominate, Karnataka has a competitive three-way fight between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), and the Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S).

The reason for this competition is Karnataka’s diversity. No single caste or religion can deliver a majority. Every party must bring together a coalition of groups.

The ideas of sociologist M. N. Srinivas, who studied villages around Mysore, help us understand this. He introduced concepts like:

• Dominant caste: Castes that are numerically strong, own land, and control local politics.

• Sanskritisation: Lower castes imitating higher castes to improve status.

These ideas explain why Lingayats and Vokkaligas dominate politics, while Kurubas, Dalits, and coastal castes like Billavas play important regional roles.

Hindu Castes and Their Political Patterns

Lingayats

• Largest community in Karnataka, about 15–17%.

• Concentrated in north and central districts.

• Backbone of BJP, especially after leaders like B. S. Yediyurappa rose.

• Sub-groups like Panchamasalis demand quota changes, creating new political challenges.

Vokkaligas

• Dominant in Old Mysore region (Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan, Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural).

• Traditional support base of JD(S), but votes are splitting.

• Congress has been gaining Vokkaliga support in recent years.

Kurubas

• Pastoral OBC group with a strong base in central Karnataka.

• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs to this caste, giving Congress strong support among Kurubas.

• Demand for ST status remains a live political issue.

Bunts

• Landowning community mainly in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

• Once closer to Congress but now a strong base for BJP in coastal Karnataka.

Billavas

• Traditionally toddy-tappers, classified under OBC.

• Strong presence in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and parts of Uttara Kannada.

• Historically backed Congress, but over the last two decades, RSS and BJP networks attracted large Billava support.

• Today, they are a core group for BJP in the coast, alongside Bunts and Brahmins.

Nayakas

• Found across many regions, sometimes listed as STs.

• Voting pattern depends on local leaders and development promises.

Weaver Communities (Devangas, Padmashalis, etc.)

• Artisan castes with a presence in cities and towns.

• Swing voters; their choices shift depending on candidates and reservation policies.

Brahmins

• Small minority, but influential in urban areas and religious institutions.

• Traditionally with Congress but now mostly lean towards BJP.

Dalits (Scheduled Castes)

• Karnataka has one of the largest Dalit populations in South India.

• They are broadly divided into two cultural-political blocs:

  • Right-Hand Castes (Holeyas) – concentrated in Old Mysore and central regions, historically tied to agriculture.

  • Left-Hand Castes (Madigas) – more common in Hyderabad-Karnataka and North Karnataka, linked to leather work and other occupations.

• This Left Hand vs Right Hand divide still influences politics, with each sub-group demanding separate recognition and benefits.

• Politics:

  • Congress remains the primary choice for many Dalits, thanks to its history of social justice policies from the time of Devaraj Urs.

  • BJP has targeted Madigas and smaller Dalit sub-groups, giving them leadership positions and welfare benefits to weaken Congress’s grip.

  • JD(S) has limited Dalit support, mainly where local candidates are influential.

• Sub-caste tensions often make Dalit votes split, preventing a single block vote.

Christians in Karnataka

• Small minority, concentrated in coastal Karnataka and parts of Bengaluru.

• Traditionally support Congress for its secular stance.

• BJP has tried outreach, but Christian support remains largely with Congress.

Muslims in Karnataka

• Around 12–13% of the population.

• Concentrated in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, and coastal towns.

• Traditionally back Congress; earlier, some supported JD(S) in Old Mysore, but this has declined.

• MIM and small Muslim outfits contest in a few seats but lack statewide strength.

Party-Wise Support Base

BJP

• Base: Lingayats, coastal Bunts, Billavas, Brahmins, and sections of Dalits.

• Strategy: Hindutva identity, strong Lingayat leadership, RSS network.

• Regions: Strong in North Karnataka, coastal Karnataka, and Bengaluru urban areas.

Congress

• Base: AHINDA coalition – Dalits, Muslims, and backward classes.

• Strategy: Welfare programs, social justice, and Siddaramaiah’s leadership.

• Regions: Strong in Old Mysore, Hyderabad-Karnataka, and parts of North Karnataka.

JD(S)

• Base: Vokkaligas in Old Mysore.

• Strategy: Family leadership of Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy, Mandya-Hassan focus.

• Regions: Weak outside Vokkaliga belt.

MIM and Smaller Muslim Parties

• Base: Urban Muslim belts.

• Impact: Very limited, as most Muslims prefer Congress.

Region-Wise Politics

Bengaluru

• Cosmopolitan mix of communities.

• Less caste-driven, more about urban issues like jobs, infrastructure, governance.

• BJP and Congress dominate, JD(S) is weak.

Hyderabad-Karnataka (Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Koppal, Bidar)

• One of the most backward regions.

• Congress strong here, but BJP gaining ground among Lingayats and Madigas.

Bombay-Karnataka (Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Bagalkot, Vijayapura)

• Lingayat-dominated belt.

• BJP very strong here, but Congress has local leaders who keep it competitive.

Coastal Karnataka (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada)

• BJP’s fortress, with support from Bunts, Billavas, and Brahmins.

• Congress relies on Christian and Muslim minorities.

• Communal politics plays a strong role here.

Mysore / Old Mysore Region (Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural)

• Vokkaliga heartland.

• JD(S) base, but Congress has grown stronger by adding Muslim and Dalit support.

• BJP is weakest here.

Matha (Mutt) Politics in Karnataka

Religious mutts (mathas) have major political influence in Karnataka. They act as social and spiritual centers for many castes. Political leaders regularly seek blessings here to send signals to specific communities.

• Lingayat Mutts: Veerashaiva-Lingayat mathas like Siddaganga and Panchamasali mutts are highly influential. BJP and Congress leaders compete for their blessings.

• Vokkaliga Mutts: Adichunchanagiri matha is the nerve center for Vokkaligas. JD(S), Congress, and BJP leaders all visit it.

• Dalit Mutts: Smaller Dalit-focused mutts also exist, giving representation to Holeyas and Madigas. Leaders use these visits to show inclusivity.

During elections:

• Narendra Modi often visits Lingayat and Vokkaliga mutts to consolidate Hindu and dominant caste support.

• Rahul Gandhi also visits mathas to send a message of respect to caste leaders and communities.

• These visits are widely covered in media, influencing public opinion and reinforcing caste loyalties.

Mutts therefore play a bridging role between caste identity, religion, and electoral politics.

25 Key Trivia on Karnataka Caste and Religion Politics

1. Lingayats (15–17%) are BJP’s backbone, especially in North Karnataka.

2. Vokkaligas dominate Old Mysore but their vote is now split.

3. Kurubas strongly support Congress due to Siddaramaiah’s leadership.

4. Bunts have shifted from Congress to BJP on the coast.

5. Billavas, once loyal to Congress, are now a core BJP base in coastal Karnataka.

6. Muslims (12–13%) mostly support Congress and are decisive in 40+ seats.

7. Christians are small but politically important in coastal districts, leaning to Congress.

8. Dalits are split into Holeyas (Right-Hand) and Madigas (Left-Hand), often voting differently.

9. Congress has been the historic Dalit-friendly party since Devaraj Urs.

10. BJP works to attract Madigas and other Dalit sub-groups with welfare and leadership posts.

11. Brahmins, though few in number, lean strongly towards BJP today.

12. JD(S) survives mainly on Vokkaliga loyalty in Old Mysore.

13. Devaraj Urs built the famous AHINDA coalition of minorities, backward classes, and Dalits.

14. Siddaramaiah revived AHINDA, giving Congress a solid base in 2023.

15. BJP’s strike rate in coastal Karnataka is very high due to Bunts, Billavas, and Brahmins.

16. BJP’s strike rate in Bengaluru is also high thanks to urban Hindu middle-class support.

17. Congress’s 2023 victory came from Muslim-Dalit unity plus gains among Vokkaligas.

18. Panchamasali Lingayat reservation demand has become a political flashpoint.

19. Kuruba ST demand is a major issue in central Karnataka.

20. Old Mysore is BJP’s weakest region and a Congress-JD(S) battleground.

21. Hyderabad-Karnataka votes mainly on backwardness and development issues.

22. Bombay-Karnataka is a Lingayat belt where BJP is strongest.

23. Independent caste leaders often swing results in close contests.

24. Matha politics is central, with Modi and Rahul both visiting mutts to seek caste blessings.

25. Winning Karnataka requires regional caste balance, since no single community can deliver victory alone.

Kalyan Chandra

Kalyan chandra is a political strategist, media and communication consultant with the expertise in public relations, marketing, political research, election campaign management, psephology and digital analytics. He focuses on strategic political consulting, offering services that include competitive research, public opinion collection, and digital media management. Kalyan has significantly contributed to successful campaigns across India with his meticulous approach and deep understanding of the political landscape.

 info@kalyanchandra.com  https://kalyanchandra.com