CNN-IBN's HR Venkatesh joined IBNLive readers on the possible role of language in the Karnataka elections.
Q. Kannada is in threat in Bangalore. Do you think we need a party like MNS to protect our language and rights? Asked by: Sujith
A. Hi Sujith, While I as a Kannadiga feel keenly about the erosion of the language in the public sphere, I don't think we need a party like the MNS or Shiv Sena because they bring with them a lot of hate politics.
Q. Though they have love for the language, are people of Karnataka not aware of scams done by politicians? How can it be a factor? (Besides my question, I am big fan of you, HR:)you are really rocking. Good luck) Asked by: Shobana
A. Thanks very much for your good wishes Shobana! I think people generally have a keen awareness that most politicians are dishonest. I think politicians (and the media) tends to underestimate people's intelligence. But that's neither here nor there.
Q. No body invoked Kannada Asmita question may be except Vatal Nagaraj. I feel tomtoming about regional party strength,KJP or BSRC or JD(S) should have added plight of Kannada and Kannadigas as a major point in their work sheet. To-day Kannadigas are orphan in their own back yard. Asked by: Mavalli Satyaa
A. Mavalli Satyaa, none of the parties mentioned really have a love for Kannada. They're in love with power and themselves. The idea of protecting Kannada-ness is something we should all be working towards, but only in an inclusive fashion. I don't support the rhetoric of outfits like KRV.
Q. Do you think due to no regional party strong in Karnataka, we are unable to get benefits from central government as compared to other states like Tamil nadu? Asked by: Sigganagowda patil
A. There is a strong regional party - the JDS. But they are centred as you know mostly in the Mysore region. I don't think the absence of a strong regional party affects benefits from the central govt. But definitely a united regional party like the DMK, AIADMK, TDP, etc would be a strong plus in dealing with the centre. And in enriching Karnataka's politics.
Q. Language nationalism is least in Karnataka as compared to other southern states like Tamil Nadu. Do you think Karnataka desperately need a regional party to protect their language, Cauvery water issues? I totally fell neglected by national parties. Asked by: Ambadas
A. It is difficult to unify all the natives of Karnataka under a single language because of unique historic, geographic and demographic reasons. I think the courts are doing a good job in resolving the Cauvery issue. But yes, as a Kannadiga, I feel neglected too. But that is just my emotion, I try not to let my emotions rule the way I view politics.
Q. Good evening sir, Karnataka as it stands today,is the center of education and IT sector. Big institutes and companies are here,having people from all over country as students and workers.If Kannada or regional issues take a front seat in elections and people vote as per it,then will it not hamper the image of state? Asked by: Jst Ashish
A. Yes Jst Ashish, I don't think we must have chauvinism in Karnataka in the name of language or any other ideology for that matter. I'm a Bangalorean, I love its multiculturalism. But I do believe too that the local language must be respected. And here, I'm not just talking about Kannada but also Tulu, Konkani, Coorgi, Dhakni, Tamil, Telugu even because people speaking different tongues have been living in Bangalore & the state for centuries.
Q. Is Kannada issue pan Karnataka? How much of a difference Kannada issue make electorally in coastal Karnataka, where Tulu is the local language? Asked by: Vinol
A. Manjunath - Obviously the issue of Kannada does not make much of a difference in coastal Karnataka precisely because of the reasons you mentioned.
Q. Kannada and Karnataka has been a very weak factor in election right? Almost no party raised Cauvery issue except JD(S). Do you think Kannadigas need a strong regional party like in TN? Asked by: Anand
A. Anand I already answered this question if you can scroll up. I think a strong regional party is a good idea but it should follow the ideology of 'liberal nationalism' as etched out by the likes of Alura Venkat Rao and not 'fear-centred nationalism' as outlined by the likes of Chidanandamurthy. I'm quoting a Kannada scholar Janaki Nair here.
Q. Hi Venkatesh Namskara :) If Kannada a factor then why Mr.Vattal Nagaraj is not making any inroads. Asked by: Jagannath Pujar
A. Namaskaragalu Jagannath! Kannada is not a factor and I have been intrigued by the topic for a long time. I think the reason Karnataka has not been unified by Kannada is why parties like the BJP have been successful. They have filled a gap of identity politics which Kannada could have occupied. I don't endorse harsh identity politics however.
Q. Is it true that language politics has taken a backseat in India as people are more worried about corruption, law & order problems, lack of transparency committed by the Government. Also, has the Government declared Kannada as the classical language? Asked by: Bhumish Khudkhudia
A. Bhumish, necessarily so. Because corruption, law & order, etc have a direct impact on day to day life. Kannada has been declared a national language, but I think one mustn't worry about whether it has been 'declared' as one. It is one. It has a very rich cultural legacy and literature.
Q. Sir, what is your prediction of the outcomes of this election? Asked by: ashwini
A. I'm not in the business of predictions but I think everyone agrees that the Congress has a good chance. Whether they will get a simple majority is the big debating point!
Q. The non Kannada electoral base is increasing year on year and the political fraternity - be it local party or national party - dance to the tunes of their electoral base. Probably one of the reason for deterioration in taking any concrete measures for the upliftment of Kannada. Expecting any positive contribution to the rich heritage of this land & language from these people (both politicians & non Kannada electorate) seems to be a joke. Though not an advocate of the means adopted by Ka. Ra. Ve, at times guess thats the only way. (Especially after a leading 'Kannada' actress asked for vote in Tamil in Bangalore and audaciously justified her action). (I am not against any non kannada electorate, but am against their apathy towards Kannada),Your thoughts please. Asked by: Mahesh
A. Mahesh, just like you, I was disturbed by the lack of respect given to Kannada in Bangalore. I realised after some time that the problem lies within Kannadigas too. Since I am firmly against any politics of identity, I believe that our efforts towards Kannada should be in culture, cinema, literature, TV, etc.
Q. Kannada is perceived to be under threat in Bangalore. will this be a factor in the city? what are the chances of regional leaders like BSY and Vatal Nagaraj. Asked by: sathyaki
A. Kannada is perceived to be a threat, but it does not have a strong political party focused exclusively on it, like the DK in Tamil Nadu in the past or the TDP (to an extent) or even a Shiv Sena and MNS. But identity politics are extremely dangerous so beyond a point I wouldn't support them.
Q. Why language based politics still exist in Karnataka and TN when there is no such thread to the local language? Asked by: Ramesh
A. Good question Ramesh! Despite everything I think deep down there is no threat to the local language. Kannada will continue to thrive.
Q. What are the chances of a regional party coming to power in future elections in Karnataka? Will agenda of Kannada win elections in Karnataka? Asked by: Rahul
A. It's an intriguing question. The chances of a strong regional party, to my mind, are unlikely now. The time for that was the late 19th century and the early 20th century.
Q. Is there any movement at all for Kannada in Karnataka?. With what Kannada schools are either closed or in pathetic conditions. In this scenario, is it really possible for anyone to ask votes with Kannada agenda? Asked by: CP
A. Not really CP, for reasons I have written about above.
Q. Money was the only factor in Karnataka elections. Asked by: Prathap
A. I'm always optimistic. you can pay people to vote for you en masse, but as long as they are alone and unobserved while voting, they will continue to vote for whom they please!
Q. Do you think KJP and JD(S) can gain grounds to become strong regional parties? As BJP don't have any mass leader now, do you think KJP can become strong regional party in north Karnataka and JD(S) be strong regional party in south Karnataka? Asked by: Manjunath
A. I think the BJP to a large extent has filled the space for identity politics. I think the Kannada 'cause' has been hijacked by religious politics. So unless the BJP fades away completely, I doubt if there is space for a strong regional party. The JD(S) is rooted in the Vokkaliga caste. The KJP perhaps by the Lingayats. So it is caste and religion that forms the backbone of identity politics in Karnataka. Not language politics.
Q. I think Karnataka has been totally neglected by national parties. Even though we elected 19 BJP MP's to parliament nobody spoke issues on Karnataka and Kannada in parliament. Do you think JD(S) could have been a strong regional party if they had not removed Siddaramaiha and MP Prakash? Asked by: Kumar gowda
A. Only to an extent sir because the JD(S) is unified by caste, region and perhaps language too but there are other factors too!
Q. Venkatesh ! Don't you think that halfhearted campaign by BJP and at the end try to sell the Modi card backfired #BJP who always says my Gujarat and My Governance. Asked by: Aliuddin
A. Aliudding, I think the BJP was on a weak pitch this time round, to use a cricketing metaphor.
Q. Is there any movement at all for Kannada in Karnataka? With what Kannada schools are either closed or in pathetic conditions. In this scenario, is it really possible for anyone to ask votes with Kannada agenda? Asked by: CP
A. CP I think I answered the question. But I will rephrase my thoughts again: I don't think it is possible for anyone to ask for votes on the basis of Kannada at the moment. I'm not ruling it out in the future. But currently there seems to be no space for that kind of politics, especially because the BJP has made inroads by playing the religion card. The history of Karnataka is different from other states because it was carved out of Bombay, Hyderabad, Madras and Mysore.
Q. Hi Venkatesh, good afternoon to you.. I was little surprised with the exit poll verdict.. Why did our people vote for congress?? in spite of they doing nothing being a responsible opposition party? really thought regional part like JD S would come to power off course with other party help..Karnataka congress doesn't have unity among them..the really race for CM seat will start soon..Kumarswamy would have been a ideally CM for Karnataka's future. Asked by: Raghu
A. We don't the results yet do we? : ) But I think people are intelligent in that they would prefer to vote in a party that can stand on its own. We've had messy coalitions since 2004. Surely our state deserves better. This is not an endorsement for any party, but just a wish from a Bangalorean and Kannadiga for a good strong party!
Q. Whether Cauvery water issue will favour regional leaders like Yeddyurappa and Deva Gowda? Asked by: HALDANE PAUL
A. I think the Cauvery issue to a large extent isn't an electoral issue. That's also because the sharing of the river water has been a long, legal dispute since before independence at least.
Q. Why language based politics still exist in Karnataka and TN when there is no such thread to the local language? Asked by: Ramesh
A. Folks thanks very much for your thoughts and questions! A few thoughts to round off with. 1. Kannada may not be a unifying factor in politics, but it a strong language. It doesn't need any apologists. 2. Its politics are very intriguing, especially when you compare language politics with those in the neighbouring states of TN, Andhra, Maharashtra. 3. As a Kannadiga I want more respect accorded to the language, but I'm against hate-based politics. 4. I don't think there will be a party based on language alone in the state at least in the near future.
Q. So Congress is all set to form the government in Karnataka? Asked by: Rohit
A. I suppose so! But you never know do you? Once again, thanks a lot for the questions on the issue of Kannada and Karnataka. Clearly it is an important issue for a lot of us. Do follow me on twitter to take this conversation forward - twitter.com/hrvenkatesh Thanks again!!
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