From launching flag to floating new forums, OBC bloc attempts new consolidation

Amid the anticipation of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) soon submitting its recommendation of the socio-educational survey, the Other Backward Classes bloc in the State seems to be undergoing a slow and silent churn.

Attempts are being made to consolidate the disparate castes and bring them closer as a powerful political bloc. Keenly watched, the report is expected to throw up socio, educational and economic status of castes that could be used to provide targeted support to the needy community. More importantly, it would throw up the population size of each caste, seen as an important tool in political bargaining.

New outfit launched

The Karnataka State Suppressed Backward Castes Federation (KSSBCF) has been launched to bring together 95 castes in Category 1, 102 from Category 2 A, and one caste each from Category 3A and 3B. Significantly, the federation has distanced itself from Kurubas, the dominant among the Backward Classes in the State that is numerically larger and perceived to have reaped political dividends. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba community.

“The combined population of these castes in the State is estimated to be around 1.4 crore, which, if brought together, will be the strongest force with an average 50,000 to 60,000 votes in at least 150 Assembly constituency. The federation is apolitical but will negotiate with political parties for ticket to members of these communities,” said K.N. Lingappa, former member of KSCBC and one of the founders of the federation.

According to him there should be at least 45 legislators from the bloc, in keeping with population size, but now there are only about 10.

Launch of HSS, yellow flag

Another effort to consolidate Backward Classes is under way as decks are being cleared for the launch of the Hindulida Sanghatana Samiti (HSS), on the lines of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, to provide grassroots organisation structure to the Backward Classes movement. A yellow flag with red, blue, and green stripes has been launched, and the late D. Devaraj Urs is being promoted as a Backward Classes icon.

“Our initiative found roots in the 2018 Assembly elections, and we found that there is a disconnect with grassroots. OBC is a heterogenous group and unless identity is emphasised, it is difficult to bring them together. The HSS will provide voices to all OBCs, especially the marginalised communities. Colour (for flag) and identity is important to convey political message,” said Ravi Boseraju, a key figure behind the initiative. “We are working on ways to provide leadership roles to those from marginalised communities. We hope along with financial and legal support, political identity will consolidate OBCs.”

Ravi Boseraju, a key figure behind the Hindulida Sanghatana Samiti initiative, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The yellow flag is seen akin to a blue flag associated with Dalit movement or a green flag for farmers movement and the red flag for workers. Incidentally, social reformer Narayana Guru had used yellow flag, and it has inspired those driving the movement.

“Social justice is not only for OBC. It is relevant for working class, Dalits and farmers. The red, blue and green stripe in the yellow flag is to represent all the groups into the larger OBC consolidation. There is a conscious movement for OBC consolidation,” said A. Narayana, a faculty member at Azim Premji University, who has been advocating OBC political mobilisation in Karnataka.

Regaining momentum

According to Prof. Narayana, though the OBC mobilisation during the time of late Urs was seen as challenging the political dominance of Lingayats and Vokkaligas, that consolidation lost momentum later. “Now, again, many groups are coming up and all of them advocating some kind of OBC political consciousness, asserting rights about political and administrative dues.”