Latest news with #BrahminWelfareBoard
News18
18-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Brahmins Step Up In UP: Demand Commission, Welfare Board As BJP Looks To Rebuild Caste Base
Last Updated: BJP leader Dr KC Pandey raised the twin demands with UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, the party's key Brahmin face in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet You must have heard about the Commissions for the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST), Minorities, and even Other Backward Castes (OBC); but have you ever heard of a separate commission for the upper castes? Chances are, you haven't, because there aren't any. But with the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election two years away and the Uttar Pradesh Panchayat election scheduled for next year, the chorus is growing for a Commission for the upper castes in the state. What's more? Flexing their muscle, Brahmins — a key constituent of the upper castes — have now demanded that a Brahmin Welfare Board also be constituted. Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasabha President and BJP leader Dr KC Pandey raised both these demands with Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and the BJP's Brahmin face in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet, Brajesh Pathak. Pandey has also demanded that the BJP-led state government declare Parshuram Jayanti a state holiday, like Ambedkar Jayanti. Brahmins, particularly Bhumihar Brahmins, hold a special reverence for Parashurama, viewing him as a symbol of their dual heritage of spirituality and martial prowess. Before you dismiss this as just another fringe demand, think again. UP BJP Vice President and a prominent Brahmin face of the party in western UP, Dinesh Kumar Sharma, has come out in support of Pandey. Speaking to News18, Sharma said, 'Different commissions are being established keeping in mind the welfare of different castes. So why not an Upper Caste Commission? There is also a dire need for a Brahmin Welfare Board because Brahmins, like other castes, comprise individuals from different economic strata. Brahmins include the rich, the poor, the urban, the rural, and even those living in tribal areas. Sometimes, they are left to fend for themselves." 'Just because they belong to an 'upper caste', no one cares about their welfare. So, a welfare board for Brahmins will be a welcome step in the right direction," he added. Sources in the UP BJP say it would be 'premature" to comment definitively, but the Deputy CM has listened to the demands and will convey them to CM Adityanath for consideration. Meanwhile, Pathak has been reaching out to Brahmins in particular and upper castes in general by engaging with organisations such as the Parshuram Sena and the women's wing of the Brahmin Sabha. This week, Pathak chose to attend an event held by the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasabha — the body that has raised the demand for an Upper Caste Commission and a Brahmin Welfare Board. Pathak has recently been tasked by the BJP with wooing the Brahmin community to consolidate the upper caste vote, especially after the result in the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh, where the party lost 29 seats, bringing its tally down from 62 to 33. In Uttar Pradesh, the 'upper caste" population is estimated to make up around 19–20 per cent of the total population. This group primarily includes Brahmins, Thakurs (Rajputs), Bhumihars, and Kayasthas. Specifically, Brahmins are estimated to form around 12 per cent of the population, while Thakurs (Rajputs) account for approximately 7–8 per cent. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
RLD gen secy demands Brahmin Welfare Board
Lucknow: National secretary of the , Anupam Mishra, has written a letter to Chief Minister , requesting the formation of a Brahmin Welfare Board. In his letter, Mishra expressed appreciation for the efforts being made under the chief minister's leadership for the multifaceted development of the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He acknowledged the commendable initiatives undertaken by the government to promote social harmony and the welfare of all communities. However, he emphasised that the economically weaker sections of the Brahmin community require special support. Therefore, the establishment of a "Brahmin Welfare Board" in a culturally rich and populous state like would be a historic and visionary decision, further strengthening the government's policy of inclusive and balanced development. Lucknow: National secretary of the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Anupam Mishra, has written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, requesting the formation of a Brahmin Welfare Board. In his letter, Mishra expressed appreciation for the efforts being made under the chief minister's leadership for the multifaceted development of the state. He acknowledged the commendable initiatives undertaken by the government to promote social harmony and the welfare of all communities. However, he emphasised that the economically weaker sections of the Brahmin community require special support. Therefore, the establishment of a "Brahmin Welfare Board" in a culturally rich and populous state like Uttar Pradesh would be a historic and visionary decision, further strengthening the government's policy of inclusive and balanced development.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab: Parshuram Jayanti celebrations spark political debate
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said on Tuesday that the state government was organising a state-level celebration for Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti for the first time. Several community members were honoured at the event organised by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab, at KMV College in Jalandhar. 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.
