SAFFRON SURGE: BJP Drafts Emperor Krishnadevaraya as New Hindu Icon

BANGALORE | January 17

In what appears to be a calculated and high-octane political maneuver, the Karnataka BJP has signaled a major shift in its cultural narrative. On January 17, 2026, the birth anniversary of the legendary Vijayanagara Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya, the top brass of the state BJP took to social media in a synchronized show of strength, effectively “drafting” the 16th-century ruler as the party’s primary Hindu icon.  

From firebrand leader C.T. Ravi to former MP Pratap Simha and ST strongman B. Sriramulu, the collective tribute has sent ripples through the state’s political corridors. This isn’t just a historical remembrance; it is being viewed as the birth of a new political symbol for the saffron party.  

The Digital Blitz: BJP Leaders Claim the Legacy

The official handle of BJP Karnataka set the tone early in the morning, hailing Krishnadevaraya as the “Protector of Dharma” and the “Jeweled Throne of Karnataka.” This was quickly followed by a barrage of posts from key leaders:

• C.T. Ravi’s Ultimatum: Known for his aggressive Hindutva stance, C.T. Ravi didn’t just pay tribute. In a sensational twist, he issued an ultimatum to the Congress government, alleging that the Emperor’s tomb in Anegundi is surrounded by “illegal activities.” By linking the Emperor to a demand for “sanitizing” sacred sites, Ravi has successfully turned a historical figure into a contemporary rallying cry for Hindu heritage.  

• Pratap Simha’s Cultural Call: Former Mysore MP Pratap Simha, who has often been at the forefront of the “Mahishasura vs Chamundeshwari” debate, framed Krishnadevaraya as the ultimate “Protector of the Southern Frontier.” His post emphasized the Emperor’s role in defeating the Sultanates, a clear attempt to position him as a counter-narrative to the Congress’s historical focus on Tipu Sultan.

• Sriramulu’s Emotional Connect: In Ballari, B. Sriramulu performed a high-profile pooja of the Emperor’s portrait. For Sriramulu, the move bridges the gap between the BJP’s Hindutva agenda and the influential Valmiki and local communities of the Kalyana-Karnataka region, where the ruins of Hampi stand as a reminder of past glory.  

Why Krishnadevaraya? Why Now?

Political survey and public opinion polling agency QUEST WAVE suggests that the BJP’s pivot to Krishnadevaraya is a “masterstroke” for three reasons:

1. Neutralizing the ‘Caste’ Card: Krishnadevaraya—a Tuluva king who championed Kannada and Telugu—offers a unifying “Hindu Pride” identity that transcends specific sub-castes.  

2. The Anti-Tipu Narrative: For years, Karnataka politics has been polarized over Tipu Sultan. By elevating Krishnadevaraya, the BJP is offering a “positive” hero who represents prosperity, religious freedom, and military dominance over the Deccan Sultanates.

3. Regional Consolidation: With Yaduveer Wadiyar (Mysuru MP) also joining the chorus, the BJP is successfully linking the Vijayanagara legacy with the Old Mysore region, creating a pan-Karnataka Hindu identity.  

From History Books to the Battleground

The message from today’s social media blitz is clear: The BJP is no longer content with just being the party of “national” icons. By adopting the “Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana” (The Rama of the Kannada Kingdom), they are looking to root their Hindutva ideology deeply into the soil of Karnataka’s own history.

As the state gears up for future electoral battles, Sri Krishnadevaraya is no longer just a figure from a textbook—he is the new vanguard of the BJP’s ideological offensive.  

“He was the shield against invasions and the architect of our cultural golden age. Today, we reclaim that pride.” — Excerpt from a viral post by a BJP supporter today.