Places of worship influencing voters?

Mangaluru: Houses of worship too can subtly influence the devotee’s votes.

The messages expressed at religious centres are not direct or intense, yet, those in authority at religious institutions often send across subtle messages asking the community to “choose a leader who carries the potential of fulfilling the aspirations of our community”.

Christine, a voter from Mangaluru City North constituency said, “Our priest has never asked us to vote for any particular party or candidate. But he did ask us to keep a few things in mind while choosing our representative, such as the fate of our community for the next five years, the candidate’s rapport with our community, his or her contribution to our community and the untoward incidents in the last few years in this constituency.”

Vivek Shetty, a doctor, said though he hasn’t come across any event or messages in temples with an overt political tone, politics is certainly discussed during community programmes.

“A lot of politics is discussed at these community programmes. We are Bunts and we prioritize a candidate from our community more than any political party. A certain party has fielded candidates taking this into account,” he said, adding, “This has certainly been playing on our minds.”

Sunni Uluma leaders have been openly asking community members to cast their vote for a party, and not a candidate who is not secular.

A message on social media from Aboobakar Siddiq, national secretary, Sunni Students Federation read,“In the current political system, it has become necessary for religious leaders, along with the common man, to discuss politics. The multicultural Indian values have been diluted by a few communal forces. To ensure there is no hung assembly so that communal elements get a chance to form the government or to ensure that a party with a communal agenda doesn’t get power, it’s necessary that we all vote for a party that will preserve the secular fabric of the country.”

Given the tense political environment, even subtle messages or suggestions by religious and community leaders can play a major role in the voter’s decisions.