July 21,1956 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY Profile of a Southern State—Mysore ( From a Correspondent)

IN the thirties the legend flourished reans loved and still continue to There is no difference between it that Mysore was a 'model state', their land so much that they preferr­ and. for instance, the Public Works and legends die hard. Sir Mirza Is­ ed a bare living within their State Department. Vacancies are classi­ mail, who was then the Dewan of to affluence outside. fied into 'A' and B' categories and Mysore, had a Hair for publicity advertised m the Mysore Govern­ which would have done credit to a Mysore University ment Gazette Brahmins are not Hollywood actress. He was an able Things have changed, however, eligible to apply for 'B' jobs and administrator, and he enjoyed the over the years. And not for the Non-Brahmins include besides Non- confidence of Shri Krishnarajendra better. The same people who were Brahmins, Jains, Christians. Muslims, Wodeyar, the then Maharaja. He so irritatingly smug about Mysore Parsis. Only one in five jobs is an 'A' did not have to he responsible to a a few years ago are now bitterly vacancy this does not mean, how­ volatile party as Sri Hanumanthayya critical. Such talk is particularly ever, that every fifth job is one for has to be. Autocracy sometimes common among the teachers in the which Brahmins may apply. That makes for efficiency and Sir Mirza University of Mysore. It should not is what the simple-minded would was an efficient and benevolent be interpreted, however, that the think. Mysoreans are subtle. It is autocrat. It is true that he did a quinine in their talk is due to a enough if the one-in-five ratio is re­ good deal for Mysore, but it is often greater altruism or- insight into the alised over all the appointments made forgotten that a firm foundation was forces working in the Stale today. during a certain period. This often laid for Sir Mirza's achievements The University is not exactly a nest means that the classification of any firstly, by the efficient administrative for brilliant minds. In fact, it is particular vacancy as 'A' or 'B' is structure which the British rulers well-known that over1 the last three determined by a clerk especially, built during the years 1831-1881 or four decades the University has if the officer is not alert. It is more when they ruled the State directly, been systematically trying to blow likely however. that the clerk in and secondly, by a series of able De- its brains out. and has succeeded in course of time coaches the officer wans like Rangacharlu, Seshadri its task. Once upon a time the Uni­ to co-operate with him. Clerks are Iyer (under whom the first hydro versity boasted of such scholars as static whiIe officers are mobile. And electric project in India came into Radhakrishnan Radhakumud Muk- clerks can intrigue. A good officer existence in 1903). and that grand herji. K T Shah, A B Wadia. M listens to his clerks if he wants to old man of Mysore. Mokshagundam Hiriyanna and several others less be happy and prosperous. Visweswarayya. A sound foundation well-known but still very able. Today is never seen while minarets and there are only two all-India names. Falling Standards cupolas for which Sir Mirza had an Prof K V Puttappa. and B R Sesha- If a man has enough influence with inordinate fondness are. char the Zoologist. The former, a a high official or influential politician In one respect, however. Sir Mirza distinguished Kannada poet, has or minister, he tries to get a thing was unique he loved gardens and just (15th June 1956) been posted as done through the latter. But then beautiful cities. He contributed a the Vice-Chancellor. That Prof only a favoured few who belong to great deal to the beauty of Mysore Puttappa is an academic man to his the right castes and. who are, in ad­ State, and especially to its two linger tips is not denied by his worst dition, related to important people, capitals. Bangalore and Mysore. In detractors but why should he be are able to get things done at that condemned to run the immensely- Krishnarajasagar he designed an in­ level. The rest have to cultivate complicated affairs of an elephantine uminated garden with flowing water clerks. Not an easy job as clerks university0 But then poets are not and coloured lights, which is the are temperamental as well as poorly always content to remain unacknow­ pride of every Mysorean except n few paid. ledged legislators. Cleaning the cranky souls who prefer the dark Augean Stables should be child's The candidates go before the Pub­ and majestic beauty of the vast man- play, comparatively speaking. It lic Service Commission in which the made lake to the tawdry magnficance is as corrupt as a Chinese non-official members are active as of multi-coloured bulbs. There was Heaven, and what it needs is a man they regard themselves to be the another thing which Sir Mirza did- who has a deep sense of academic watchdogs of the "backward castes". he sold the idea of Mysore being a values as well as the administrative All non-Brahmin castes are "back­ 'model state' even to the people of ability of one of the apler ministers ward" including the powerful Lin- that State. They came to believe in the Union Cabinet. And. of gayats and Okkaligas. Even in an that their state was Ram Rajya did course, power which a Vice-Chan­ 'A' vacancy, a better-qualified Bra­ not the great Mahatma himself be­ cellor in Mysore does not have today. hmin may be turned down in favour stow the title? Good Mysoreans be­ He does not have the power even to of a non-Brahmin who has the mini­ lieved that Mysore was the best of appoint on his own a lecturer on Rs mum qualifications necessary for the all places on this earth. Incompar­ 100 per month. Such an appoint­ .post. A third class pass in the BA able climate, a potentially rich State ment, if the vacancy is of more than Honours gives a -candidate 'minimum greatly diversified in its beauty, six months' duration, must be made qualification' fof a University lec­ cheap living, conditions, and many by the members of the Public Ser­ turer's post. In brief, the mode of State-owned industries—not only vice Commission. . selection has ensured the weeding iron and steel but paper, cement, out of the brighter in favour of the sugar, sandalwood oil, soaps, fer­ Mysore University is one hundred duller. Yet. recently, a committee tilisers and several others. Myso­ percent a limb of the Government. of the University Council went into 859 July 21, 1956 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY the question of falling standards, of dealing with porters and finding close to the Brahmins in the pro­ and reported that nothing was wrong transport. The Council Members can portion of the educated to the non- with the staff! never be seen without a little bunch educated. (But both Lingayats and Okkaligas rank as 'backward castes' The opinions of outside 'experts' of obvious admirers who keep them and would fight to the last to retain are taken into consideration in the posted on the less publicised affairs their privileged position.) But while appointment of professors. But in of the University. Every matter Brahmin dominance is a thing of India in 1956 AD experts are accom- comes under the scrutiny of this the past and the immediate future modating people. ( And two non- Council appointments, promotions, for Brahmins is certainly bleak, Lin- Official members are also included examinerships, tabulatorships, in­ gayat power and influence are wax­ In Selection Committees for profes­ crements, scholarships. transfers, ing strong. They seem to have deep­ sors.! The things work in such a leave, deputations, etc. A Lingayat er roots in the soil than Brahmins, way that only local candidates apply member becomes the self-appointed and many of them are wealthy land­ for professorships. Let me explain. promoter of Lingayat interests, a lords, traders and officials. They A candidate who has the necessary Brahmin member of Brahmin in­ wield a great deal of political power. 'minimum qualification' becomes an terests, and an Okkaliga of Okkali- They have a reputation for great assistant professor. ( There is con­ gas. Deals are struck between mem­ unity it is said that no Lingayat stant, complaint that seniority is bers, and a Vice-Chancellor usually will ever vote for a non-Lingayat. overlooked, but very few complain tries to see that he keeps out of There? is probably more poetic than that, ability is overlooked.) Assist­ trouble and that his interests are not literal truth in that statement. But ant professors apply for professor­ affected adversely. If the Council in one respect the Lingayats are uni- ships and the latter carry such low is meeting at Bangalore. he uses que: they have a strong monastic salaries that properly qualified non- such leisure as he has in seeing minis­ organization, and the heads of the Mysoreans are not tempted to apply. ters, and higher officials in the monastic orders not only look after A professor's salary is Rs 400 p rn secretariat. They keep relationships the welfare of Lingayat souls but and goes up eventually to Rs 700. oiled. His path is indeed a razor's also after the political and economic Thus only local horse? run for the edge. interests of their hock. The head local Derby, Pour man. his lot has become un­ of one particular monastic organiza­ enviable after the advent of demo­ tion figures largely in the conversa­ The Pilgrim's Progress cracy. Mow greatly does it contrast tion of University teachers how he Progress from a temporary lect- with the position of the leonine and sends chits to Principals and Vice- urership to a professorship is indeed patriarchal Sir Brajendranath Seal, Chancellors recommending Lingayat a. difficult journey, though many the only distinguished Vice-Chancel­ boys for free-studentships and scho­ people, not remarkable for their in­ lor in the history of Mysore Univer­ larships, and about how in every tellectual attainments, but possessing sity!. But then he had prodigious election he whips up Lingayat votes other qualifications, have arrived at learning, character and age, and in favour of Lingayat candidates. the summit. Caste is of course the functioned before the era of small­ first qualification in this journey. If town politicians, and democracy. a, candidate does not belong to the Nowadays, any departmental deci­ Divisisons among Lingayats right caste, his confirmation may sion supported by the Vice-Chan- Lingayat s may be more united be delayed by several years and cellor might have to he reconsidered than the others, but this does not this handicaps him for ever in the because a minister" picks up the phone prevent the existence of sub-divi­ race. Seniority dates from confirma­ and talks to the Vice-Chancellor. sions among them. The sub-divi­ tion and not. from appointment. And they are said to pick up the sions usually occur on the basis of From confirmation to assistant pro­ phone very often. But then how can monastic affiliation, and there are fessorship is another long journey they be blamed? They do want to several Lingayat monasteries in marked by visits to one's boss who get re-elected, and possibly have Mysore. Besides, the Lingayats of is at best neutral except when he hopes of becoming even Chief Minis­ north-west Mysore belong culturally thinks he can secure a benefit by ter. When they go to their consti­ more to North Karnatak than to supporting an influential candidate tuencies, they will naturally be ask­ Mysore unlike their co-sectarians in and to one's politician-patron who is ed, 'Did you help so-and-so'." Each Nanjanagud and Chamarajanagar. either a member of the University favour refused means an enemy for The Lingayats are also split up into Council, or a Congressman whom life. When it comes to election, caste sub-castes and this has political the Chief Minister has to keep pleas and local area are key factors consequences. Again, some pride ed because he commands four or especially caste. themselves on earlier conversion to five votes which may be crucial in a Lingayatism than others. One very periodic vote of no-confidence against The Lingayats intelligent Lingayat teacher told the Chief Minister from members of The Lingayats are in a special your correspondent, "It is not every his own party. position their strength is less than Lingayat who is in a favoured posi­ The politicians who are members that of the Okkallgas in the present tion, but only those who happen to of the University Council have to be Mysore State but is expected to be be related to the few powerful fami­ propitiated like the less gentle mem­ greater in the New Mysore State. lies." He was, however, from north­ bers of the Hindu pantheon. When According to the States Reorganisa-, west Mysore, and he seemed to think they visit Mysore or Bangalore for, tion Committee Report, in the New that power was unduly concen­ a Council meeting, candidates (lect­ Mysore, Lingayats will be about 20 trated in a few related families urers, assistant1 professors and per cent of the total population, from Nanjanagud and Chamaraja­ occasionally, even professors) meet Okkaligas about 13-16 per cent and nagar. (One Lingayat Minister hails them at the station and accompany the Harijans , 17-18 per cent- The from this area while the other them to their hotel or friend's house Lingayats are better educated than comes from Shimoga.) But, by and ridding them of all the minor worries the Okkaligas, and probably quite large, Lingayats are in a favoured 860 July 21, 1956 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY

861 July 21, 1956 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY

position, though the success of any Demoralisation among Teachers the teachers. An afternoon sport with them can be most depressing. individual Lingayat depends, if he Only a few years ago the non- is not from one of the powerful Brahmin teachers were pleasanter Selection of Students families, on his securing the patron- company than the Brahmins. They ship of a Lingayat politician. This were up and coming, and hopeful. No account of Mysore University, can be had by persistent flattery Some of them went outside Mysore, however brief, can afford to leave and helpfulness. Allegations of and even abroad, to enhance their out the mode of recruitment of graft are. of course, there, but they academic qualifications. But soon students to the technical colleges cannot be verified. troubles came their way also. The and to the more popular courses in Muslims whose morale was high arts and science. Until recently, Supersession of Brahmins when Sir Mirza was Dewan, and the principals had to be guided in To come back to the University. the Christians when the late Sir T admissions by a council of non- Everyone agrees that there is too Thambu Chetty was Private Secre­ official members and this meant much politics in the University, find tary to the Maharaja of Mysore, again that candidates were chosen 'politics' is used in two senses —one. begun harking back nostalgically on the basis of caste. (Nowadays, in the sense of intrigue, and an­ to the past in their off-the-record however, the principals are assisted other, in the sense of the intrusion talks. The years since Independence by a committee of senior teachers: of the politics oi' the larger world have made it abundantly clear that a little less than a third of the into academic life. (That the same there are only three groups which seats are open to merit and the people who complain of polities' are going to count directly in the rest are decided on the basis of resort to it to further their inter­ State and the rest can only hope, caste. This mode of recruitment ests is a widely-recognized truth.) at best, to count indirectly. They had certain consequences. Firstly, Students divide themselves caste- are the Lingayats, Okkaligas und it led to the founding of private wise, and a few years ago this be­ Martians. As I said before, the engineering and medical colleges came so marked during elections to Lingayats as a group are more where seats could be booked by the Unions that the University educated than the other two. paying an advance of so much per authorities had to 'kill' the latter and this means that, more Lin- seat. (A newly-started medical by making their membership volun­ gayats, arc teachers in the Uni­ college in Bangalore charged Rs tary. A student is heard occasion­ versity than either Okkaligas or 5000 per seat) It meant that the ally complaining that his low marks Marijans, Now Lingayats, Okkali- poor people, except from certain are due to the fact that the teacher gas and Harijans have started castes, could not become engineers wishes to favour a student of his superseding everyone else includ­ and doctors if they were not out­ (teacher's) own caste. This is very ing the many small non-Brah standing, whereas the rich parents probably a rationalization of the minical castes. It is necessary to of a mediocre hey could buy him student's frustration but it is true explain here that there are OkKali a scat. The Avadt spirit is very that teachers are very caste-cons­ gas and Okkaligas. During the much in evidence in Mysore, cious. Until recently the Brahmin thirties, the Kunchatigas, Telugu teachers were probably the worst Reddis and several others were con­ Caste in Government in this respect: they howled with sidered as Okkaligas. Nowadays Fortunately, however, the situa­ self-pity at the injustices and humi­ the term is used in a purer sense tion outside the University is not liations they felt had been inflicted which excludes the Reddis. For­ as bleak. Government officials, in upon them. merly, certain Tamil and Telugu the Secretariat or elsewhere, do not non-Brahmin groups like the Muda- wall as much as University teachers. The supersession of Brahmin liar and Naidu, Syrian Christians Seniority does not seem to be dis­ teachers was common in the past from Kerala, Catholics from Man- regarded there though in the initial and occurs even today. A young galore and other heterogeneous recruitment of candidates to the non-Brahmin with not even five groups, all sought shelter under the Government posts, the caste of a years of service frequently super­ hospitable non-Brahmin umbrella. candidate and his connections are sedes his Brahmin teacher with a (Two of the leaders of the 'non- not irrelevant. In an article pub­ teaching experience of 10-15 years. Brahmins' in the twenties and early lished sometime ago in the Economic (This does not, however, happen in 'thirties were Hamsa Hussain and Weekly it was pointed out that in the other departments of the Gov­ Mathan.) Today, all such groups the Reddy Ministry each minister ernment. ' The superseded teachers feel lost. Even the indigenous and had a private secretary from his were cut up as both their purse economically backward groups like own sub-caste. What is surprising as well as their pride were injured. the Nayinda, Agasa, Bed a and Bes- to a Mysorean is that this should And having put in so many years tha feel that to get on in modern be deemed worthy of being com­ in the University they found that Mysore one should be either a Lin­ mented upon. Mysoreans have so they had left local roots too deep gayat or an Okkaliga. In the Uni­ completely accepted this principle versity especially, the self-pity which to be easily uprooted. Also not that when a number of posts are once characterised the Brahmins is everyone was wanted outside. Eaeh filled they accept certain important now widespread. People who super­ instance of supersession added to castes to be represented in them seded Brahmins less than a decade the collective demoralisation of the and they are not disappointed, in ago are now themselves wailing Brahmins. Slowly the group came the present cabinet, there are two about supersessions in which they to be what they are today—em­ Lingayats, two Okkaligas, one Hari- are the victims and not the bene­ bittered, self-centered and negative. jan, one Brahmin and one Kuruba. ficiaries. Their sudden concern for The comparative success of those The Okkaligas and Lingayats have falling standards is amusing, but two each because they are the Brahmins who had quit the State what is more significant today is "majority" castes. It is surprising fed their pride as a group and em­ the widespread demoralisation among phasised their defeat as Individuals. that nobody hag as yet given a 862 July 21, 1956 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY theoretical form to this idea that sufficiently to merit being called an a good deal of exaggeration in mis the castes should be represented in ideology. There was no need for -it may again be only a rationaliza­ the various departments of the it, however. The injection of non- tion of the complainant's failure. Government in proportion to their teachers into academic life in the Success even in modern Mysore is number In the State. It would be name of democracy, and the rules dependent upon such qualities as a contribution from Mysore to Indian of recruitment, frequently unpub­ efficiency and honesty, and perhaps political thought. lished, observed by the Public Ser­ Brahmins are not yet reconciled to vice Commission and by other the fact that other groups too pos­ How is it that the University has recruiting agencies, both ensured sess these virtues. One impressive become such an important focus for that Brahmins quickly lost their fact in this connection—impressive forces of caste? This is a difficult dominance in the government to because one hears exactly the oppo­ question to answer. In one sense the Okkaliga and Lingayat. Some site is that personal friendship cuts it is only natural that a University of the younger Brahmins from the across caste. Friends from the should give formulation to ideas middle-class and poor families left same village often help each other current in the immediate environ­ Mysore of their own accord for jobs irrespective of caste. In fact, two ment. But that is not the case in Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta and friends from different castes exploit here. It is only in Tamilnad that elsewhere. This also helped. their respective caste connections to the non-Brahmin movement has an help each other. The Old School ideology. During the 'forties a few Those Brahmins who were not Tie and the sharing of common ex­ young non-Brahmins in the univer­ able to leave the State, continue to periences bind together people. If sity talked of 'social justice' by complain whether they are in gov­ this did not happen, and happen which they meant that the castes ernment service or not. For inst­ frequently, life would be intolerable. which had not had a chance till ance, lawyers complain that clients then because of Brahmin dominance, choose lawyers belonging to their Social Forces in New Mysore should be given a chance to come own caste, and doctors (private Mysore is going to enlarge its up at the expense of the Brahmin. practitioners) say the same thing boundaries pretty soon certain But this idea was not developed about patients. There is probably parts of Bombay, Hyderabad and July 21, 1956 THE ECONOMIC WEEKLY Madras are going to be included, pass a vote of no confidence against ligas jittery —in fact, jitteriness is and the entire State of Coorg is him. It looks as though their efforts widespread. It is so bad that to going to be merged in it. And, "Will succeed. And if they do, Shri many, even Brahmin dominance naturally enough, Mysoreans are Hanumanthayya might not even appears less horrible in retrospect. given to frequent speculation on the find a place in the new Mysore The statement, "The Brahmin had shape of things to come in the New Cabinet. His chances of being 2,000 years of culture which made State. It may be recalled in this kicked upstairs' like Shri K C him see right and wrong," is often connection that Mysore showed a Reddy, his predecessor, whom he heard. It is indeed surprising how great reluctance to unite with north displaced with undue haste, are quickly the Lingayats have roused Karnatak. and one of the chief slender indeed. (It is ironical to the fears of everyone. If they do obstacles in the way of the union recall that Shri Hanumanthayya not do something to restore the con­ was the fear of the Okkaligas that initiated three no-confuknee moves fidence of the other castes, the pat­ they would be dominated by Linga­ against Shri K C Reddy.) Shri tern of allegiances to come in the yats. This fear was so prominent Reddy had tactfully cultivated New Mysore seems fairly clear. The that it finds mention in the SRC friends in high places whereas even Okkaliga will be leading an opposi­ Report. Even alter the SRC had his best friends do not accuse Shri tion consisting of all non-Linga- recommended the union of Mysore, Hanumanthayya of tact. yats. An interesting feature of the Coorg and parts of Bombay, Hydera­ recent elections to the Mysore Uni­ bad and Madras States, into a Envy of Lingayats is widespread versity Senate was the attempt of single State, Mysore continued to nowadays as many people believe a few 'progressive' Okkaliga candi­ express its desire to remain sepa­ that the raj will be theirs in the new dates to support a lew 'progressive' rate. It was Shri Hanumanthayya's set up. They are the subjects of Brahmin candidates in the hope of espousal of the cause of the new much myth-making by the others. defeating Lingayats. This is a State which led to the eventual ac­ They are credited with unbelievable shrewd move, and shows that Okka­ ceptance of the SRC recommenda­ unity and deep cunning. They are ligas are also thinking ahead. The tions. By his espousal Shri Hanu- even said to be trying to win over Brahmins as a group are educated manthayya found new friends inside the Harijans to their side in an and intelligent, and an Okkaliga- and outside Mysore but within his effort to ensure their dominance. Bnihmm combination might provide own party there was and still is This has naturally made the Okka- the answer to Lingayat dominance. —a hard core of people uncompro­ But Brahmins will be numerically misingly opposed to the enlargement insignificant in the new Mysore, and of Mysore. Their opposition was so unless the Okkaliga-Brahmin axis great that as an alternative they can win the support of a number „ proposed the creation of Dakshina of small castes, they are doomed Pradesh. Here were people who, to failure. It is very likely then while straining at the gnat of Kar­ that both Okkaligas and Lingayats natak, were prepared to swallow will try to get the support the camel of Dakshina Pradesh, in­ of the miniority castes. This means cluding new Mysore, Andhra, Madras that the latter will not. be swamped and Kerala. The situation was in­ by the two dominant castes. The deed Gilbertian. But it is not really cause of 'democracy' will be saved, as absurd as it seems. In Dak­ oven if it be a new concept of demo­ shina Pradesh the Lingayats would cracy the safeguarding of the be one of the many powerful groups rights of beroditary minorities. whereas in the new Mysore they But neither the Okkaliga nor the would be the largest single group. Lingrtyat seems to be sufficiently Stray remarks by people are quoted aware that a 'third force' might to 'prove' how Lingayats want to emerge and that, its emergence might run the new State to their own upset ail their present calculations. advantage and to the dis­ The Harijans will be numerically advantage of everyone else. Poor one of the three most powerful Lingayats, they are now as un­ groups, and are rapidly coming up popular as the Brahmins were for­ in every way. They will support merly. The wielders of power in­ whoseever will offer them the most spire not love but the opposite senti­ advantageous terms though their ment. memories of the treatment received The Chief Minister who at first at the hands of the locally domi­ supported the New Mysore later nant castes, and the existence of said that he was also in favour of sub-divisions among themselves Dakshina Pradesh but that, he might come in the way of their thought it was a bit immature. He acting rationally In the interests of even argued that new Mysore was* their caste. Anyway, they will be the first step in the creation of a power to be reckoned .With, and Dakshina pardesh. Charges of on- their emergence will come as a sur- portunism have been levelled at him prise because all the Important high froth members of his own party. It caste groups, used as they are to is well-known that there is a solid think in a caste idiom, have been group in the Congress who wish unable to envisage the possibility to oust him, and newspapers report of Harijans becoming a power that there is at present a move to