Need for a Study of State Policies towards the Development of Religious Minorities in Karnataka Azhar Khan C A ISBN 978-81-7791-299-9 © 2019, Copyright Reserved The Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) is engaged in interdisciplinary research in analytical and applied areas of the social sciences, encompassing diverse aspects of development. ISEC works with central, state and local governments as well as international agencies by undertaking systematic studies of resource potential, identifying factors influencing growth and examining measures for reducing poverty. The thrust areas of research include state and local economic policies, issues relating to sociological and demographic transition, environmental issues and fiscal, administrative and political decentralization and governance. It pursues fruitful contacts with other institutions and scholars devoted to social science research through collaborative research programmes, seminars, etc. The Working Paper Series provides an opportunity for ISEC faculty, visiting fellows and PhD scholars to discuss their ideas and research work before publication and to get feedback from their peer group. Papers selected for publication in the series present empirical analyses and generally deal with wider issues of public policy at a sectoral, regional or national level. These working papers undergo review but typically do not present final research results, and constitute works in progress. Working Paper Series Editor: A V Manjunatha NEED FOR A STUDY OF STATE POLICIES TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN KARNATAKA Azhar Khan C A∗ Abstract The principal objective of the working paper is to present an academic proposition for studying state policies towards the development of religious minorities in Karnataka. It specifies a few demographic details concerning minorities at all India and Karnataka levels. The study discusses perspectives of prominent political scientists who have examined Karnataka as “comparatively cohesive society”, “broadening and deepening democracy”, and “increasing communalisation of society”. The central argument of the working paper is that the state of Karnataka has witnessed a paradigm shift from being a cohesive society to communalisation of politics and society. The findings of various state-appointed committees and commissions are discussed which have identified a host of social, economic, and political challenges faced by minorities in Karnataka. Post reviewing the available literature, a set of research questions and objectives are identified for further in-depth research. Keywords: Karnataka; Religious Minorities; State Policies; Public Policy; Development; Marginalisation; Awareness; Participation; Representation; Empowerment Introduction Karnataka has witnessed governments formed by different political parties, mostly national rather than regional parties. Governments of Karnataka since unification in 1956 have been more often stable, majoritarian, and completed full terms. Simultaneously, it has also witnessed political upheavals, governor’s rule, incomplete tenures, hung legislative assemblies, coalition governments, political instability, identity politics, and communalism. Here we address the development issues that specifically relate to religious minorities consisting of individuals belonging to Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism. Karnataka has witnessed relatively few social, economic, and cultural conflicts. Social and political cohesion here has been relatively high compared to other states in India. Due to various social movements over the ages, people of Karnataka have accommodated various minorities and lived in a spirit of togetherness. Different regions – princely Mysore, Bombay Presidency, Madras Presidency, Hyderabad State, Coorg, and Sandur – administered by separate authorities were brought together as a unified state based on the language that is spoken widely, i.e., Kannada. Karnataka’s demography comprises upper castes, dominant castes, backward or intermediate castes, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and minorities. The demographic nature is such that none of these groups on its own enjoys a clear numerical majority. Each group has its relative strengths in comparison to others. However, there are limitations, as no single caste or community can claim a sole majority. It is a unique situation that has an impact on the spheres of state, government, and society. ∗ PhD Research Scholar, CPIGD, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Nagarabhavi, Bangalore - 560072. The author is grateful towards Dr V Anil Kumar, PhD Supervisor; Professor Supriya RoyChowdhury, Professor N Sivanna, and Dr Anand Inbanathan - Doctoral Committee Members; Professor Abdul Aziz and Professor D Jeevan Kumar - Panel Experts. He is also thankful to both the anonymous referees for their valuable comments and suggestions. The usual disclaimer, however, applies. E-mail: [email protected] The political and social system has provided sufficient space for accommodation, cohesion, and coalition of social, economic, and political groupings. Instances of social and political accommodations or coalitions are reflected in groupings such as MOBD, AHINDA, LIVO, LIBR and 4B’s1. These political adjustments have occurred due to power-sharing, contesting elections, political representations, strengthening support base, coalition building, portfolio allotments, targeted programmes, and policies of state governments. Demographic Details Given the broad contours of Karnataka state and politics, the proposed study seeks to address the question of minorities. The National Minorities Commission Act of 1992 and 2014 has notified a total of six communities as religious minorities under section 2 (c) namely Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains. The following are some of the essential demographic details about the minorities at both all-India level and in Karnataka. The primary data taken from census reports show the broad social, economic, and political circumstances and situations in which minorities are leading their lives in India as well as Karnataka. Table 1: Size of Minority Population in India and Karnataka Census Total Population in Minority Population in Proportion of Minority Years Lakhs Lakhs Population in percentage India Karnataka India Karnataka India Karnataka 2001 10286.1 528.5 2010.3 82.7 19.54 15.6 2011 12101.9 611.3 2445.9 97.7 20.20 16.0 Sources: Census Reports, 2001 and 2011, Government of India The above Table 1 details the size of the minority population at both all-India and Karnataka levels. At the all-India level, the proportion of the minority population to that of the total population was 19.54 per cent in 2001 and 20.20 per cent in 2011. Similarly, in Karnataka, the percentage of the minority population to that of the total population was 15.6 per cent in 2011 and 16.0 per cent in 2011. In all-India and Karnataka, minorities constitute an essential segment in the country’s human resources. Their protection, promotion, awareness, participation, representation and inclusion are a crucial aspect of the development of India. Table 2: Size of Different Minority Populations in India Minority Population in Lakhs Proportion of Minority Population in percentage 2001 2011 2001 2011 Muslims 1381.8 1722.4 13.43 14.23 Christians 240.8 278.1 2.34 2.29 Sikhs 192.1 208.3 1.87 1.72 Buddhists 79.5 84.4 0.77 0.69 Jains 42.2 44.5 0.41 0.36 Sources: Census Reports, 2001 and 2011, Government of India 1 Muslims, Other Backward Classes, Dalits | Alpasankhyatha, Hindulida, Dalita | Lingayats, Vokkaligas | Lingayats, Brahmins | Bunts, Banias, Brahmins, Billavas | 2 Table 3: Size of Different Minority Populations in Karnataka Minority Population in Lakhs Proportion of Minority Population in percentage 2001 2011 2001 2011 Muslims 64.4 78.9 12.23 12.90 Christians 10.1 11.4 1.91 1.91 Sikhs 0.15 0.28 0.03 0.04 Buddhists 3.93 0.95 0.74 0.15 Jains 4.12 4.40 0.78 0.71 Sources: Census Reports, 2001 and 2011, Government of India Table 2 and 3 contain statistical information about the population and proportion of the population to that of the total population of different minorities. It can be noted that among all the minorities, Muslims are the most substantial minority regarding population and proportion at both all- India and Karnataka levels. At the national level, they are followed by Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, while in Karnataka they are followed by Christians, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs. Nationally, Christians constitute 2.29 per cent of the total population, while in Karnataka, they comprised 1.91 per cent of the entire state’s population in 2011. At the national level, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains put together form 2.77 per cent of the national population in 2011. In Karnataka, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains put together to consist of only 0.9 per cent of the state’s population in 2011. Table 4: Religion-wise Percentage of Male and Female in India Male in percentage Female in percentage 2001 2011 2001 2011 Muslims 51.6 51.2 48.4 48.7 Christians 49.8 49.4 50.2 50.5 Sikhs 52.8 52.6 47.2 47.4 Buddhists 51.2 50.9 48.8 49.1 Jains 51.5 51.2 48.5 48.8 Sources: Census Reports, 2001 and 2011, Government of India Table 4 points to the statistical data concerning the percentage of males and females belonging to minorities at the all-India level. Except for Christians, all other minorities have less than 50 per cent female population. The percentage