Vicky Nanjappa

Hindutva, polarisation, anti-incumbency to decide outcome of elections in Coastal Karnataka

Coastal Karnataka has always been referred to as a laboratory of Hindutva politics.’ The question is whether this time the region would vote on these lines. Coastal Karnataka is often referred to as a ‘laboratory of Hindutva politics’ and in 2018 the BJP won bagged 12 of the 13 seats in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi…
How PFI used the “Islam is in danger” slogan to radicalise, recruit Muslims into its fold

The PFI was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs vide a notification issued on September 28 2022. The MHA noted that the outfit had links with foreign terrorist groups such as Islamic State. The Popular Front of India (PFI) which was banned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) last year had used the…
The Kerala connect to terror in Kashmir is out in open again: It is hardly surprising

With the centre stepping up the ante to beat down radicalisation, the agencies have found that the problem is the highest in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided a house in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a Kerala Islamic State module. The Kerala connect is…
The lobbies that have controlled the Karnataka elections

Lobbies have always had a say in Karnataka politics. The scenario has however changed with caste being the most dominating factor in an election. Karnataka has always been under the control of lobbies, which often influence the elections. There was a time when these lobbies played a great role in shaping elections and all political…
Centre ups ante as agencies eye 20 states as hub of Islamic radicalisation

Radicalisation has been a long drawn problem in India. Attempts are being made from several quarters to radicalise the youth in India. The Centre has raised the heat in a bid to quell radicalisation, which has become extremely rampant. The focus is on more than 20 states and the agencies have been directed to keep…
Khalistan movement set to wane, with PM Modi rising it at the highest-level

The Punjab Police were left in an embarrassing situation, when they surrendered before Amritpal Singh’s followers, who stormed the Ajnala station demanding the release of their aide Lovepreet Toofan. The urgency to act against the rise of the Khalistan movement was seen in the statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At a joint presser…
The three factors that led to the Lingayats shifting loyalties to BJP in Karnataka

Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi have played crucial roles in the deciding on how the Lingayats vote in Karnataka. There have been certain political decisions that have made the shift. At an event in Shivamogga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Congress had insulted two top Lingayat leaders-S Nijalingappa and Veerendra Patil. While the…
How Islamic State is looking to fill in the PFI’s space in India

The Islamic State has off late through its mouthpiece the Voice of Khorasan has been portraying that a crackdown on the PFI is an attack on Indian Muslims. The Islamic State has been making all attempts to grab the space left behind following the ban on the Popular Front of India. The recent raids by…
PFI wanted a 20 member hit squad in every district to target Hindus

In January the NIA had arrested one Mohammad Sadiq, a reporter from Kerala. He was in the process of passing on information on Hindu leaders to the Hit Squads. In a note, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said that it had managed to hole out and overpower one Thufail M H from his hideout in…
Karnataka elections: To cross half-way mark, arithmetic of regions are important

Since 2004 no party has been able to secure a majority in Karnataka. The year 2013 was however an exception. Karnataka interestingly votes region wise and this suggests that there cannot never be a common issue to vote in the state. There are four regions in Karnataka- Mumbai-Karnataka, Hyderabad-Karnataka, Coastal Karnataka and Old Mysuru Region.…