Punjab: Parshuram Jayanti celebrations spark political debate
Announcing to name a new chowk in Jalandhar city after Bhagwan Shri Parshuram, the minister emphasised, 'Such events play a pivotal role in preserving and promoting India's rich cultural and religious heritage.'
The state-level celebrations and honouring several community members have, however, instigated a debate among the Brahmin community and political observers, with many terming the move a 'political stunt' to garner Brahmin votes in the upcoming Ludhiana West bypoll and further. They sought to know from the AAP-led Punjab government why it took them three years to commemorate Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti, or if it was a calculated move because Brahmins constitute 30-35 lakh of the total 2.77 crore of Punjab's population.
Advocate Sheikhar Shukla, former chairman of the Brahmin Welfare Board, told The Indian Express that the state government was playing the community card ahead of the Ludhiana West by-election. He questioned the government's seriousness about why it took them three years to organise such an event. He criticised the government for dissolving the Brahmin Welfare Board soon after coming to power in April 2022, and for not reviving it despite repeated requests.
Shukla pointed out that Rakasan village in Balachaur, Nawanshahr district, which is believed to be the birthplace of Bhagwan Parshuram as per historical and revenue records, received a grant of Rs 1 crore from former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. Additionally, Channi allocated Rs 10 crore for the development of Khatti village in Phagwara, which is considered the Taposthali (place of worship) of Bhagwan Parshuram, he said.
'They (AAP govt) dissolved the Brahmin Welfare Board and gave no grants for the development of places linked to Bhagwan Parshuram,' Shukla said, adding: 'The Archaeological Survey of India and a central government team visited Rakasan village and confirmed the claims, suggesting the village may soon officially be declared the birthplace of Bhagwan Parshuram.'
'Since the Brahmin population in Punjab is estimated to be 30-35 lakh, the state government is making an effort to appease Brahmins for electoral gains by organising such an event,' he added.
Tejasvi Bhardwaj of the Shri Brahmin Mandal, Phagwara, who is also associated with Bhagwan Parshuram Temple in Khatti (Phagwara), told The Indian Express that it was difficult to determine the exact figure of the Brahmin population in the absence of a recent caste-based census. 'However, based on general estimates, Brahmins constitute 10-12 per cent of Punjab's population, with a significant presence in the Doaba region, which includes Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar).'
Bhardwaj said the Doaba region also has the highest Dalit population (around 37%) in the state.
Bhardwaj said previous governments, including former CM Channi — the first Dalit CM of Punjab — had already acknowledged Bhagwan Parshuram. 'Channi granted Rs 10 crore for the temple in Khatti village, while former CM Parkash Singh Badal had provided Rs 1.5 crore for the same temple and established a chair in Bhagwan Parshuram's name,' he added.
Prof. (Retd) G.C. Kaul, an expert on Ad-Dharma and Ravidassia movements, stated that the claim of 'first-time' celebrations was 'politically motivated'. 'If this is being done for the first time, what's the need to highlight it? If it helps the social fabric, that's good, but using it to claim credit smacks of politics.'
Prof Kaul stated that Brahmins once made up about 10 lakh people, less than 3 per cent of Punjab'spopulation, 'while the current figure is unclear, even a 3 per cent population can hold political significance.'
Kaul said the incumbent government was trying to appease all communities. 'Photos of Dr BR Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh displayed in government offices are examples of this broader outreach strategy,' he said.
Political commentator advocate Sat Pal Virdi said political parties had been celebrating religious and cultural icons' anniversaries 'purely for vote-bank politics. While commemorating such figures is commendable, seeking political mileage out of it undermines its sincerity.'
Deepak Bali, an advisor to the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, welcomed dignitaries at the event, which concluded with a devotional aarti dedicated to Bhagwan Parshuram.
An AAP leader said that by celebrating Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti, the Mann government intended to acknowledge the Brahmin community's contributions and address their concerns to strengthen ties with them. 'This move is part of a broader effort by the AAP government to engage diverse social groups. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has previously participated in events like Valmiki Jayanti Shobha Yatra and commemorated birth anniversaries of key figures such as Guru Ravidas and Ambedkar to emphasise social justice and equality,' the AAP leader added.
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