With the Karnataka election having thrown up one surprise after another, caught in the middle of the dramatic tug-of-war between the BJP and the Congress-JD(S) alliance are the youth of the state. Young voters are caught in the middle as they wait to see the outcome of the political drama that stands to affect every aspect of their lives.
The Quint spoke to a few youth in Bengaluru to try and understand why the BJP did not win in the city. Is this the doing of the “middle class-income groups” that the BJP has often targeted? Or did the youth – at least the percentage who did vote – have anything to do with it?
Did the fear of what “saffronisation” of their state could do to their city, scare them into voting against the BJP? And if that is the case, what is this overall change, that they believe would come with the BJP government, that they are so apprehensive about?
A Ban on All Things Dear?
The Quint spoke to a few voters in the 18-30 age bracket, several of whom said that they feared a BJP government in their state would bring about drastic changes in their lives. There were a few common themes among their answers, with majority of the respondents saying they were wary of:
- being forced to make dietary changes;
- being forced to give up on their social lives;
- being coerced to adapt the Hindutva narrative;
- being subjected to moral policing.
A 21-year-old student, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Quint that he feared the BJP would enforce a beef-ban in the state – like it had done in other states.
I live by beef burgers and beef steaks. I’m worried that if the BJP does come to power in Karnataka, they will impose a beef-ban, which will be terrible.21-year-old student from Bengaluru
Moral Policing & Social Life
A handful of respondents said they feared a BJP rule in the state would lead to a curtailing of their social liberties and freedoms. “The pubs will shut at 10:30 pm now,” said one respondent, while others echoed her concerns by saying that a BJP government in the state meant many of them would be forced to stay home in the absence of a vibrant nightlife. Another concern is that moral policing will spike in the city.
While it still remains to be seen which party or parties will finally hold fort in Karnataka amid the ensuing chaos, the youth of Bengaluru are definitely worried what it will mean for them.
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