South India has become a cesspool of Minority appeasement. The social structure is changing and this is not good news for the Hindus.
When Politicians brazenly takes a pro minority (read Christian and Muslim) stand during campaigning, it is time for Hindus to sit up and take serious note.
In Kerala, Hindu population barely crosses 50%. It is why the Communist Government decided to work against the Hindu sentiments in the Sabarimala issue, while pussyfooting on the implementation of Supreme Court judgment on the Yokoba - Orthodox case, and also not showing any inclination to ban the loudspeakers as mandated by Supreme Court prior to Namaz. The Christians and Muslims vote en bloc, and it is why Rahul Gandhi had to come all the way down to Wayanad, as the Constituency has 60% minority population, out of which 45% are muslims, who support Congress led UDF.
The Dravida Kazhakam politics of DK and DMK has ensured mass conversion of Hindu population to Christians in most parts of Tamil Nadu, especially the Southern part. The anti national protests against Koodankulam Nuclear Plant and the forced Closure of the Sterlite Plant are all Church sponsored. DMK under Karunanidhi at least showed a pretense of supporting Hindus, though not Brahmins. The Brahmins were hounded out of Tamil Nadu long ago. In addition, there are big pockets of Muslim dominated areas, funded by money from Gulf and Malaysia, where even the Police dare not enter. The Ghetto in Ukkadam, from where the plan for bombing Advanis rally in late 1990s were planned is a classic example. When Police finally entered the area, they were amazed to see the stockpiles of weapons and bombs. The area still is a flashpoint. Post Karunanidhi, Stalin and team has not only started exhibiting blatant minority appeasement, but have started abusing Hinduism and its rituals in every available forum. AIADMK under Jayalalitha, was reasonably pro hindu, but would do nothing to antagonize the Muslim Vote Bank, and allowed the threat to grow.
The erstwhile Andhra Pradesh under YSR, who was a converted Christian himself, aggressively supported mass conversion, and this policy of Christian appeasement is followed by his son Jagmohan Reddy. To counter this Chandrababu Naidu is dangerously courting Muslim Vote Bank, and has promised to have a Muslim as Dy CM if elected to power again. Hindus in the divided AP is left in the lurch.
The Splinter Telengana, was indeed formed based on demand by the Muslims, who are a powerful vote bank. KCR is quite open about pampering the Muslims to the detriment of everyone else.
Only Karnataka has buckled the trend, though the Mangalore area is quite sensitive with frequent Hindu Muslim clashes. The State has not returned a Muslim MP since 2004.
We are seeing a massive Hindu consolidation in Kerala, and it is my guess that BJP will occupy the space of the Communists, like they did in Tripura, in another 10 years or so. BJP, standing alone, has 15% Vote Share and is not able to attract allies, who have formed two groups UDF and LDF. But once BJP cross 20%, the game will change permanently, as apart from CPM and Muslim League, no other party can hope to get 10% vote share on their own.
Modi and Amit Shah has lot of work to do to reclaim South India, like they did in East India. They need to consolidate, and get power in Karnataka (Yeduriappa need to be replaced by a dynamic youngster). This has to be followed by working at the ground level in Kerala and targeting the younger generation. NCN is on his way out in AP. Instead of piggy backing Jagmohan Reddy, BJP should try to occupy that space, with an eye on the future. In TN, BJP missed a trick by not brokering the peace between EPS led AIADMK and Dinakaran led AIADMK. This, along with others like PMK, DMDK would have thrown the anti hindu DMK led alliance to the Bay of Bengal.
BJPs communication strategy is defensive both in Kerala and Tamilnadu. This has to change. And they need to identify a pan South Indian leader who will be the glue. Can they?
