Will BJP retain Dalit support in the Hindi heartland?
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Dec 4, 2018, 15:57 ISTHighlights
- Dalits, which constitute 16.6 per cent of India's population have seen atrocities against them increase
- The dilution of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court, in March 2018 added to the Dalit ire.
NEW DELHI: In 2013, BJP saw an impressive win on 68 out of 78 reserved seats in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, however, replicating the same success in the ongoing elections could be difficult. Reason: Rising Dalit anger over atrocities against them.
Explore how SCs voted in 2013 in the TOI MP Data Hub
Explore how SCs voted in the previous assembly elections in Rajasthan here
Explore who SCs in Chhattisgarh voted for in previous state elections here
Dalits, which constitute 16.6 per cent (201 million) of India's population have seen atrocities against them increase in the last few years. According to National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB) data, as many as 40,801 cases of crime against Scheduled Castes (SCs) were reported in 2016, which is a 5.5 per cent increase over 2015, across India.
BJP ruled state fare poorly on this account. In fact, poll-bound BJP ruled states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh alone make up for a whopping 25 per cent of all crimes against SCs in the country.
Watch: Why Chhattisgarh matters: All you need to know
The dilution of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court, in March 2018 has added to the Dalit ire. In March 2018, widespread protests by Dalits across the country were followed by a a Bharat Bandh that did not end well and resulted in nine deaths including seven Dalits.
Watch: Why MP remains key to the BJP's fortunes
It’s not surprising that in the last few months, BJP has seen a clear drop in Dalit support. According to the Lokniti CSDS Survey, nationwide Dalit support for the BJP fell from 33% in May 2017 to 22% in May 2018. Congress, on the other hand, has gained support. It rose from 20% to 23% in the same time frame.
Having failed to protect Dalit interests, winning their vote in 2018 will be an uphill task for the BJP. This, after it had their overwhelming support in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when BJP got a quarter of Dalit votes, twice that of 2009. Depending on who Dalits vote for in 2018 will hold a cue to the upcoming Lok Sabha 2019 elections as well.
Explore TOIs election data hub to know how the states voted in the past
Explore how SCs voted in 2013 in the TOI MP Data Hub
Explore how SCs voted in the previous assembly elections in Rajasthan here
Explore who SCs in Chhattisgarh voted for in previous state elections here
Dalits, which constitute 16.6 per cent (201 million) of India's population have seen atrocities against them increase in the last few years. According to National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB) data, as many as 40,801 cases of crime against Scheduled Castes (SCs) were reported in 2016, which is a 5.5 per cent increase over 2015, across India.
BJP ruled state fare poorly on this account. In fact, poll-bound BJP ruled states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh alone make up for a whopping 25 per cent of all crimes against SCs in the country.
Watch: Why Chhattisgarh matters: All you need to know
The dilution of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by the Supreme Court, in March 2018 has added to the Dalit ire. In March 2018, widespread protests by Dalits across the country were followed by a a Bharat Bandh that did not end well and resulted in nine deaths including seven Dalits.
Watch: Why MP remains key to the BJP's fortunes
It’s not surprising that in the last few months, BJP has seen a clear drop in Dalit support. According to the Lokniti CSDS Survey, nationwide Dalit support for the BJP fell from 33% in May 2017 to 22% in May 2018. Congress, on the other hand, has gained support. It rose from 20% to 23% in the same time frame.
Having failed to protect Dalit interests, winning their vote in 2018 will be an uphill task for the BJP. This, after it had their overwhelming support in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when BJP got a quarter of Dalit votes, twice that of 2009. Depending on who Dalits vote for in 2018 will hold a cue to the upcoming Lok Sabha 2019 elections as well.
Explore TOIs election data hub to know how the states voted in the past
Download The Times of India News App for Latest India News.
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE