Political Participation and Dalit Women's Leadership in Karnataka: Analysis of 1952–2023 Election Results

Abstract

The first election in Karnataka state was held on March 26, 1952, when Karnataka was known as Mysore state. It was renamed Karnataka in 1973. The Mysore Representative Assembly was established in 1881 by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar, the first in India. When we look at the politics of Karnataka, the most important thing we know is that from 1952 to 2023, leaders of dominant castes have been the Chief Ministers of the state, and when we analyze the statistics of participation of women in the legislative assembly, it is very low and shows a patriarchal system. And the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals address women's gender equality and women's empowerment. Especially in India, the participation of women is low compared to other countries, and Karnataka is no exception; thus, it is against the basic concept of democracy. Especially among women, the status of lower caste women is very low in terms of political participation, even compared to upper caste women. What is the reason for this gap? Is it because of the provision of reservation in the constitution to facilitate their political participation or because of male or other female leadership in politics? The main purpose of this article is to inform. Also, from the beginning, from 1952 to 2023, who were the influential Dalit women politicians elected to the Legislative Assembly, and what was their contribution, as well as the contributions that they made to the community in society? It is also important to have nobody elected as a woman legislator in the legislature, especially in 1952, when the first elections were held in the state of Karnataka. Finally, this article will find out and analyze the general caste and scheduled caste women's participation in Karnataka's legislative assembly as well as their leadership.