The battle for caste vote bank intensifies

In Kerala, the political conflict between CPIM and BJP over Sanatan Dharma and Sree Narayana Guru is deepening. The controversy has been further fueled by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement, in which he opposed attempts to present Sree Narayana Guru as a supporter of Sanatana Dharma. Vijayan said Narayana Guru had challenged caste-based discrimination and given the slogan of ‘one caste, one religion, one God’.

Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement and BJP’s opposition

• Vijayan claims:
  The Chief Minister said that Narayana Guru was not a spokesperson or follower of Sanatan Dharma.
  • “Sanatan Dharma symbolizes the Varnashrama system, which was challenged by Narayana Guru.”
  • The Guru’s life and message epitomized standing against the Chaturvarnya system.
• BJP’s counterattack:
  BJP termed Vijayan’s statement as disrespect to Hindu religion.
  • Former Union Minister V Muraleedharan said Vijayan had insulted not only Narayana Guru but also the Narayaniya community.

Congress also protested

Congress leader VD Satheesan also criticized the Chief Minister’s statement.

• Satishan’s argument:
  • “Sanatana Dharma is a cultural heritage, which includes Advaita, Tattvamasi, Vedas and Upanishads.”
  • Satheesan accused Vijayan of limiting Sanatan Dharma to the Sangh Parivar.
  • “It is wrong to call those who go to temple, apply sandalwood or wear saffron as part of the Sangh.”

Eye on caste vote bank

All the political parties are busy in capturing the 23% vote bank of Ezhava community and Sri Narayaniya community.

• Ezhava Community:
  • This community has been a traditional supporter of leftist parties.
  • In recent years, BJP has increased its penetration in this community.
  • Vote Shifting:
    • In 2006, BJP got 6% Ezhava votes, which increased to 17% in 2016.
    • The vote share of Left parties declined from 64% to 49% during the same period.
    • Congress made a slight gain, rising from 27% to 28%.
• Both BJP and Congress are engaged in strategy to attract the vote bank of this community.

Contribution of Shri Narayana Guru

Sri Narayana Guru (1856–1928) was a social reformer and revolutionary saint.

• Opposition to caste system:
  • The Guru gave the message of ‘One Caste, One Religion, One God’.
  • Challenging the caste system, he built a temple of Lord Shiva in Aruvippuram in 1888.
  • Mirrors were installed in temples instead of idols, which gives the message that God is within every person.
• Religious Unity:
  The Guru worked for religious and social awakening throughout his life.

Pope Francis’ appreciation

Recently Pope Francis also praised Sree Narayana Guru.

• In December 2023, he described Guru’s message of human unity as relevant.
• He said that the Guru’s life was dedicated to promoting social and religious awakening.

strategy of political parties

• Leftist parties:
  An attempt to portray the Guru’s message as close to leftist ideology to woo the Ezhava community back.
• BJP:
  An attempt to present Narayana Guru as a supporter of Sanatan Dharma to appeal to the Hindu vote bank.
• Congress:
  By showing the Guru’s message as a cultural heritage, the Sangh is targeting both the Parivar and the Left.