Brahmins now neglected, targeted: Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha

Bengaluru: The Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha on Monday told the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes that the upcoming Social and Educational Survey must not end up classifying an entire caste as socially backward or forward. 

Monday was the last date to submit objections to the Commission, which has already received over 500 representations from various communities ahead of the survey starting on September 22. 

“It is well known that the choice of birth of a person is completely divine and merely because [one] is born in a system as a Brahmin cannot be the yardstick to declare him/her as socially forward,” it said. 

“We, Brahmins, who were in the forefront before Independence are now a neglected class and are reduced to backwardness... Some Brahmins fear to call themselves Brahmins fearing social wrath (sic),” it said.

The Mahasabha urged the Commission to “understand the plight” of unemployed, physically handicapped, widowed and aged Brahmins.

“Humiliations heaped on Brahmins and atrocities inflicted on them are not something which speaks of equality,” it said, adding Brahmins faced “suffocating” discrimination in government service.  “Brahmins were never a ruling class... even though they are portrayed as leaders of Chaturvarna system,” it said, adding that kingdoms and dynasties of historical importance were Kshatriyas from Suryavamsha, Chandravamsha, Yaduvamsha, Somavamsha, Agnivamsha and so on.

“A majority of the ruling class stands to be benefitted today, while Brahmins are the targeted community,” it said. 

The Mahasabha asked the Commission to remove ‘Brahmin Muslims’ and ‘Brahmin Christians’ categories. “A person can either be a Brahmin or a Christian,” it said. The junked 2015 survey counted 15.64 lakh Brahmins in the state.