Political analyst and social activist Yogendra Yadav on Wednesday alleged that Karnataka is witnessing one of the “most corrupt governance and worst politics of hatred” and said the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra will see its first political test here.
He said in an interview that Karnataka, which has a legacy of Basavanna and a range of progressive thinkers and writers, offers one of the most profound cultural resources to deal with this politics of hate. He described the Bharat Jodo Yatra as a Dakshinayan Movement in India, where influences from the South were carried to the North. Excerpts from the interview:
In 2019, you said that if the Congress cannot protect the idea of India, it should die. Now you are supporting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. What made you change your stand?
I had then clearly stated that the metaphor of death meant that alternative politics should act as if the Congress did not exist. The fundamental position remains unchanged, that our country is facing an unprecedented threat from the RSS and the BJP. In 2019, I had expressed my deep disappointment and anger at the inability of the Congress to take on the BJP in the most important election. I continue to follow it. I have no reason to change my sense of disappointment and dismay that the BJP has yet another victory in such an important election. Now, we are at the very edge of a cliff. What is at stake is nothing less than the existence of our Constitution, the values of our freedom struggle and the acceptance of our civilizational heritage. That’s why everyone who is alive today owes it to himself and the country that he puts all possible energy in this mission to save the country. When a fire starts in your house, there are only two factors. Those who come with a bucket of water for any purpose and those who come with a bottle of petrol with any intention. At that time you don’t say that you had a fight with the one who came with the bucket of water.
Question: Will this support to the Congress continue even after the completion of the Bharat Jodo Yatra?
Answer: While supporting Bharat Jodo Yatra, we have clearly said that we are not binding ourselves to any political party or leader. In the past we have opposed the Congress. We will do it if needed in future. If anyone from other political parties takes a big initiative to protect our country, we will support that too. It is about protecting the country and nothing less. Today Rahul Gandhi is doing it, we support him. If tomorrow Stalin or the Left parties do this, we will support them. Everyone who has a bucket or even a glass of water is my ally.
Question: Elections are due in Karnataka about six months from now. Will you continue to support Congress if it continues to “protect the nation”?
Answer: We do not have any alliance with Congress. We have supported this campaign called Bharat Jodo Yatra only once, which seems to be one of the major initiatives to counter hate. Yes, choice matters. But I am not interested in this because our goal is something bigger. Above all, getting on the streets is now most important. Showing guts and courage is what matters now. Some people will have to hit the streets and say that we reject the politics of hate.
You have been talking about fighting the politics of hate and protecting the secular fabric. How do you want to do this?
I have always believed that the fight to protect the secular fabric of the country cannot be fought on the basis of secular ideology alone. When people speak the high language of secularism, most god-worshippers, temple-, mosque- and church-goers do not belong to it, although their cultural nature is secular. So, I will make the economy my main plank for the fight because they (BJP) have failed us in managing the economy. They cannot control unemployment and inflation. They came up with insane proposals like demonetisation and badly executed GST. They are bringing up Hindu-Muslim and Hindu-Christian issues to hide their failure. i ask them MathsBut she talks about hijab.
How important is BJP-ruled Karnataka for the Bharat Jodo Yatra?
Karnataka is witnessing one of the most corrupt regimes. The first serious political test of the yatra will be in Karnataka. The yatra began in Kanyakumari where the BJP has a small presence, but the Congress is also present there. In Kerala, which was the next state, the BJP is not a significant player. When the yatra enters Karnataka, which has witnessed one of the most brutal politics of hate in recent times, we can really see how the public reacts to it. I am also looking forward to Karnataka as it has one of the most vibrant civil societies. While Karnataka is witnessing one of the worst forms of hate politics, it has also provided one of the most vibrant cultural resources to fight it. It has seen progressive writers like Kuvempu, Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad and Devanur Mahadeva. Basavanna has a legacy. Karnataka offers the deepest cultural resources to deal with this politics of hate. I hope that when the Yatra passes through Karnataka, it will take some of these assets to the rest of the country. i call it a Dakshinayan Movement in India, where influences from the South were carried to the North.
Q: What are your plans for the trip to Karnataka?
A: When the yatra enters Karnataka via Gundlupet on September 30, it will be received by a delegation of eminent personalities from Karnataka. A team of civil society will accompany during this entire journey. I invite all those who want to save this country from hate to participate in the yatra, even if it is just for a day. Bengaluru is the national capital for NGOs. I would invite everyone to come and walk, even for a day. be on the road Don’t just support with your social media accounts. Today the country wants to see the feet on the road. He gives courage. This journey is important for me because seeing thousands of people on the road gives courage to everyone. The whole success of BJP’s politics is that it makes everyone feel lonely. Millions of people in this country feel that they are alone in opposing this politics of hate. How can millions be alone. They need to feel that they are not alone.