BR Bhaskar Prasad is a well-known Dalit writer and activist from Bengaluru, who has been actively involved in various social and political campaigns. He was one of the main organisers of the “Chalo Udupi” campaign, which brought together Dalit and minority activists to protest against the killing of Praveen Poojary, a member of a backward caste who was beaten and murdered by Hindutva activists in August 2016.
Prasad is a former state president of the “Karnataka Dalita Sanghatanegala Okkuta” (Karnataka Dalit Organisations Association) forum. He actively uses social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to raise awareness about social and political issues in India.
Bhaskar Prasad ran for the Mahadevapura constituency in Bengaluru on an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ticket during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections. However, he later joined the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in March 2021, citing his belief that the issues facing Muslims and Dalits in India can only be resolved through their unity.
In this interview with The Cognate, Prasad talks about his decision to run from Pulakeshinagar constituency in the upcoming Karnataka elections, issues faced in the constituency and his contest against the incumbent Congress MLA, Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.
Why Pulakeshinagar constituency?
I have been involved in politics since 1999 and have previously run as an independent candidate in 2004, 2008, and 2018. This is my fourth time running for office. As for why I chose Pulakeshinagar constituency, my party decided to contest here, and it is a reserved constituency for Scheduled Caste (SC). Unfortunately, there has been a lot of injustice happening in this area, with the government misusing the police system and incidents like DJ Halli KJ Halli causing problems for innocent people. Additionally, the living conditions for marginalized communities like Muslims and Dalits in this area are very poor, with many people living on sewers and cisterns. I feel a responsibility to try and improve the situation, especially since the distance from this area to Vidhana Soudha is only four kilometers. Therefore, I am running for office in this constituency to make a difference.
What are the key issues that you plan to address in Pulakeshinagar if elected as a representative?
If elected as a representative for Pulakeshinagar, my primary focus would be on addressing the lack of basic amenities and infrastructure in the area. The residents of this area face several problems, such as inadequate water supply, poor drainage system, and substandard living conditions. These problems are more acute for the Muslim community residing in this area. Hence, I will work towards providing them with better facilities, such as proper roads, schools, and access to clean water.
Another key issue that I plan to address is the discrimination and abuse faced by the Muslim and Dalit communities. The government has been involved in several controversies that have caused harm to these communities, such as the scrapping of 4% reservation, the Halal meat row, and the Hijab row. As a representative, I will work towards fighting such discriminatory activities and ensuring that the rights of these communities are protected. I believe that all citizens should be treated equally, and I will work tirelessly to achieve this goal.
Do you think you can solve what others haven’t?
All the MLAs have failed to bring about any significant change in this constituency. The release of crores of rupees for the development of this area has not resulted in the provision of basic necessities like clean drinking water. As a result, it is important to question where the money has gone and how it has been used.
My approach is simple – I will not engage in illegal activities such as demanding a percentage of the amount meant for development. Instead, I will ensure the complete implementation of facilities in the area to solve the problems that residents face. Corruption in garbage maintenance, which costs hundreds of crores in BBMP, must also be tackled.
Pulakeshinagar is home to thousands of small businesses that pay taxes, yet they do not receive the benefits of it. My aim is to address these issues and bring about positive change to the lives of Pulakeshinagar’s residents. While I cannot guarantee that I will be able to solve all the problems overnight, I can promise to work hard and strive for the betterment of this community.
What are your thoughts on the incumbent MLA, Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, and his track record in the constituency?
Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, the incumbent MLA, has a track record of changing parties from Janata Dal to Congress. There are news reports of him even contesting independent if his party denies him a ticket. He won the previous election with the support of SDPI, who did not field their candidate as per their agreement to not allow communal parties to come into power. However, he has failed to maintain that trust. He was caught in a sting operation by a TV channel where he demanded a bribe. This has raised doubts about his ability to bring development to the constituency.
His own nephew instigated the riots in DJ Halli because of which 450 Muslims went to jail. Despite this, there has been no action taken against his nephew, and those who sought justice have been punished. It has been two and a half years since the incident, and people have realised the reality of this man. It is unlikely that he will be re-elected.
What is your plan to win the election in the face of Murthy’s influence and support from Chamrajpet MLA BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, who is a prominent Muslim leader?
Our strategy is to focus on the issues that matter to the people of the constituency and offer solutions that are in their best interests. We are not relying on attacking Murthy or anyone else, but rather on demonstrating our commitment to improving the lives of the people. We are engaging with the community, listening to their concerns, and addressing their needs. We believe that the people of the constituency are smart enough to see through empty promises and political posturing, and they will choose the candidate who can deliver on their promises. We are confident that our message will resonate with the voters and that we will be able to win their trust and support. We are not worried about the support Murthy is receiving from others, as we believe that the voters will make the right choice based on their own needs and aspirations.
Moreover, he has caused harm to his own reputation by the way he handled the DJ riots. Recent media reports suggest that he is willing to even run as an independent candidate if Congress does not offer him a ticket. This will lead to his own defeat in the election. People have come to the realisation that the only solution to their problems lies with the SDPI.
Muslim Ulama in their meeting with the Congress leadership has demanded that the party should not give ticket to Murthy this time. However, the Muslim community does not seem to see SDPI as an alternative. What do you have to say about that? Why do you think that despite widespread anger against Murthy, voters don’t seem to be seeing SDPI as an alternative?
The number of people who do not see SDPI as an alternative are less. They are typically Congress supporters who solely endorse the party because of Siddaramaiah. And what has Congress done for them, anyways? Look at the Idrees Pasha killing case, Siddaramaiah had time to watch a cricket match, but did not find time to visit the family of Idrees. This is in stark contrast to BJP leaders who visited Harsha’s house when he was killed in Shimoga. The contrast in Congress leader’s actions begs the question of why they prioritise watching cricket over their duties as elected representatives, especially towards the Muslim community, which has always favoured them.
How do you plan to address the concerns of the Muslim community in the constituency, particularly in light of the DJ Halli riots that took place in 2020? Your party was accused of orchestrating the events that took place in DJ Halli, many of your own party members were arrested in the case. What do you have to say about this?
It’s important to clarify that we condemn any act of violence, and our party has no connection with the DJ Halli riots. We believe in peaceful protests and democratic means of addressing grievances. We understand that the Muslim community has concerns, and we are committed to addressing them. We will work towards promoting communal harmony and ensuring the safety and security of all communities in the constituency.
Regarding the accusations against our party members, we believe in the principle of innocent until proven guilty. We will cooperate with the authorities in the investigation and ensure that justice is served. We also believe that all cases, regardless of the religion or political affiliation of the accused, should be investigated fairly and impartially. We will work towards ensuring that the investigation is conducted in a transparent and unbiased manner, and the guilty are punished while the innocent are protected.
If elected, I will certainly raise the issue of false cases against Muslims in Vidhana Soudha.
How do you plan to engage with the youth in the constituency, where there is a rampant case of drug addiction and abuse?
The issue of drug addiction and abuse among the youth is a problem not just in this constituency, but throughout the country. It affects students from all backgrounds, not just the poor. We recognize that the current government has allowed the drug trade to flourish and profit from it. The police and customs departments have not done enough to stop the influx of drugs into the area. We cannot simply fight against drug addiction within the constituency, as the drugs are produced and supplied from outside. To tackle the root of the problem, we must establish rehabilitation centers with government assistance and take necessary measures to address the issue.
Lastly, what message do you have for the voters of Pulakeshinagar, and why should they vote for you over other candidates?
Our message to the voters of Pulakeshinagar is simple: choose honesty over those who exchange money for votes. Don’t let them visit you at your doorstep, as the money they distribute is the same money stolen from you. Don’t let yourself be fooled. The reason you should vote for the SDPI party is that we are the only party challenging the BJP’s communal politics in the courts, and we are the only ones speaking out against injustice in the streets. I have been an activist for over 25 years, fighting for this cause, filing cases, and even going to jail. So vote for me and the SDPI party to make a real difference in Pulakeshinagar.
