Controversy increased over IAS Santosh Verma’s statement about “Brahmin daughter”. The Brahmin community called it casteist and demanded an FIR and action. Verma clarified that the statement was misinterpreted and his intention was not to hurt anyone.
Bhopal. State President of Scheduled Caste-Tribe Officer Employees Association (AJJAKS) in Madhya Pradesh and senior IAS officer Santosh Verma is facing severe criticism after the video of his remarks made at an event in Bhopal went viral. Demand for police case and disciplinary action is being raised on this. Speaking on whether reservation should be given on economic grounds or not, he said, “Until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son or has a relationship with him, reservation should continue.”
All India Brahmin Samaj state president Pushpendra Mishra condemned Verma’s statement, calling it “indecent” and “casteist”. Mishra alleged that this statement insults Brahmin daughters and also violates the All India Services Conduct Rules. In a post on
Pushpendra Mishra said that these comments are wrong at a time when schemes like Ladli Lakshmi, Ladli Behna and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao focus on the dignity and well-being of girls. Mishra warned that if the government does not take action, there will be agitation on the streets.
Amidst the growing controversy, IAS Verma issued a clarification on his statement, saying, “My intention was not to create a political uproar. I had said that if I am financially independent and no longer socially backward, then my children should get ‘roti-beti’ treatment from the society. I have no ill feelings towards any community. I did not want to hurt the sentiments of women. If I have hurt anyone, I am sorry. But some people spread only a part of what I said.”