The Bangalore International Centre

A panel discussion was held by the Bangalore International Centre (BIC) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, part of their Election series. Distinguished speakers from academia and journalism analyzed Karnataka's political landscape, a crucial swing state. They explored the historical trend favoring the BJP and assessed whether Karnataka would continue this pattern or shift towards the INDIA Alliance. Key themes included the BJP's dominance, Congress's efforts to regain ground, alliance significance, and factionalism within parties. Notable speakers included Dr. A Narayana, Rishikesh Bahadur Desai, Pooja Prasanna, and Vikhar Ahmed Sayeed, providing valuable insights into Karnataka's politics.

In a performance titled "Panchama Pada," the Jangama Collective delved into the legacy of the Dalit Movement in Karnataka through the lens of the magazine "Panchama," which served as a platform for Dalit voices. Incorporating writings, songs, skits, and personal memories, the collective, led by artistes such as Chandra Shekhara K, Lakshmana KP, Shwetha Rani H K, Bharath Dingri, Mariyamma, Nandini Santhosh, Narsimharaju Sira, and Sachin as the light designer, offered a rich exploration of Dalit resistance. The performance was accompanied by a twenty-minute open forum, facilitating dialogue between performers and audience members.