Latest news with #anti-Brahmin
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
When Jayalalithaa insisted on retaining the casteist term ‘pappathi' in Tamil Nadu Assembly records
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's caste has become a subject matter of discussion, almost nine years after her passing. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan recently triggered a row by alluding that All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) founder M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) was instrumental in facilitating the 'intrusion' of a Brahmin (Jayalalithaa) into the Dravidian movement and laid the path for her leadership of a Dravidian party. In her early years of heading the AIADMK after MGR's death and later becoming the Chief Minister in 1991, Jayalalitha (as she spelt her name then) had endured strong criticism from her political opponents, notably the DMK, on account of her upper caste origins. Responding to taunts on her Brahmin roots, she once declared in the Legislative Assembly, 'Naan pappathi thaan (I am a Brahmin woman).' This was sometime in 1991. However, records indicating when and in what context she made this statement are not readily available. Nonetheless, a perusal of The Hindu's archives show that in September 1991, political discourse in Tamil Nadu was dominated by what was perceived an anti-Brahmin campaign by the DMK. Under former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's leadership, the DMK had announced its intention to expose the 'group' in power then. Karunanidhi had clarified his statement (on the 'group') should not be misconstrued to mean another anti-Brahmin movement would be launched. Notwithstanding his claim, on September 23, 1991, several members in the Assembly condemned the 'anti-Brahmin campaign unleashed by the DMK recently.' Law Minister K.A. Krishnaswami referred to one such campaign in the DMK mouthpiece Murasoli and asked was it not an attack on a particular community and would it not amount to inciting violence. 'The anti-Brahmin attitude prevalent now is only followed by the DMK, which is a casteist organisation,' he charged. Labour Minister C. Aranganayagam contended the AIADMK was following DMK founder C.N. Annadurai's policy of not discriminating against any community. But, it was the DMK, which professed to follow the path shown by Annadurai, that was following a wrong policy. 'Buttressing the AIADMK stand, the Law Minister argued that there was a question whether the DMK, at the time of its formation, should be an organisation of Dravidians or for the welfare of Dravidians. It was Annadurai who decided that persons belonging to any single community should not be discriminated against because of their birth and said anyone could become a member of the organisation,' a report in The Hindu said. Congress (I) MLA S. Peter Alphonse had then charged that a sustained and planned anti-Brahmin campaign had been going on for the last 15 days. It was undertaken to threaten the Chief Minister, frighten her and unseat her at a time she embarked on a programme of wiping out anti-national forces. It was aimed at creating an atmosphere of hatred in the State, he said, adding raising the issue in the House that day was the next stage of the campaign. Interestingly, the then Finance Minister V.R. Nedunchezhian said five or six Brahmins were working in Murasoli but what the DMK was now indulging in was for 'political reasons.' The issue dominated the proceedings in the Assembly on the following day too. Chief Minister Jayalalitha said, 'The anti-Brahmin campaign of the DMK deserves to be dismissed with contempt.' She said the members need not have any apprehension that the DMK would succeed in its designs to whip up communal passions for unseating the government. She charged the DMK had 'miserably failed' when it sought to brand MGR a Malayali. 'None would have forgotten the vicious campaign unleashed by the DMK and how people rejected it with scorn. Such intimidation tactics did not affect the MGR Government,' The Hindu reported on her speech. 'In her case too, the DMK had adopted a similar strategy of labelling her as Brahmin in the hope of turning the rest of the communities against her. Ms. Jayalalitha said that right from the day she entered active politics in 1982, the DMK had been deriding her as a Brahmin woman. This cut no ice. The DMK attacked her in the same vein, at meeting after meeting, when she contested the election to the Assembly from Bodinaickanur in 1989. But the people returned her with a massive margin,' the report said. She asserted the caste factor had become irrelevant in politics. During the proceedings, Mr. Alphonse, had urged that the word 'pappathi' be expunged from the Assembly records as it might be considered derogatory and hurt the feelings of a community. However, Jayalalitha did not agree with him. 'It should very much be on record so that posterity will know to what extent a particular community has been ridiculed,' she said. In a report 'Jayalalitha's 100 days: A positive balance-sheet', published on October 6, 1991, The Hindu correspondent wrote: 'The DMK which had given six months to the AIADMK Government to demonstrate its worth appears already in jitters. It has made Ms. Jayalalitha its prime target and started a sustained campaign portraying her as 'papathi' (Brahmin woman) and a symbol of Aryan domination over the Dravidian Tamils, thereby taking politics back to the pre-lndependence days. All that, however, has not deterred Ms. Jayalalitha from going ahead with her programmes with the AIADMK solidly behind her.'
Indian Express
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Monsoon Session of Assembly Begins: Uproar after Adityanath says purification drive on in Sambhal, targets LoP Pandey
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes on Monday, the first day of the monsoon session, as Opposition Samajwadi Party members protested against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's remarks on Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey. The chief minister's remark that his government was carrying out 'shudhikaran abhiyan' (a purification drive) in Sambhal to 'clean the mess created during the previous SP regime' also led to Opposition members entering the well of the House. As soon as the House convened at 11 am, LoP Pandey complained that he was manhandled during his visit to Gorakhpur to meet people affected by the upcoming 'heritage corridor' project. Speaking in the Assembly, Pandey said that not just Gorakhpur, he has been stopped in a similar manner at several other places, including Sambhal, where he had gone to meet the victims of November 24 violence that broke out during the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid. Demanding an inquiry into the protests, Pandey pointed out that this was happening in a democracy and in the CM's own area. Adityanath hails from Gorakhpur. Replying to the LoP's charge, Chief Minister Adityanath hit out at the main Opposition party, saying 'the Samajwadi Party (SP) and democracy are like two different shores of a river' that can never meet. Alleging that the Leader of Opposition was 'unnecessarily being made a pawn by some' for political benefit, Adityanath said: 'Since when do you (SP) believe in democracy. It does not suit you.' Accusing the SP leaders of only creating 'nuisance' and 'hurdles' in the development of the state by their 'negativity', the CM said: 'Sambhal mein jo nagna tandav Samajwadi sarkar ke samay kiya tha.. aaj uska shudhikaran ka abhiyan chal raha hai (Due to the mess created by the SP rule in Sambhal, we are undertaking a purification drive in Sambhal).' Alleging that the previous SP government did not bother about children dying with encephalitis in Gorakhpur or in the neighbouring areas, Adityanath accused the Leader of Opposition of going to Gorakhpur 'just to do politics'. 'It was not the BJP leaders who protested against you, but the traders, who opposed you. They are angry with SP because they had to pay gonda tax during your regime,' he said, adding that three days before Pandey's visit, he had gone to Gorakhpur to review the development of Heritage Corridor. 'There was no protest. The project is being undertaken to free the area of encroachment as there are many landmarks, including Gita Press, Ghanta Ghar etc,' Adityanath said. Calling the protest against the LoP 'mild', Adityanath said, 'Agar koi aur hota to bahut qayede se unko sahi dhang se jawab dete (Had it been someone else, a befitting reply would have been given)'. Following this, the SP legislators accused the BJP government of being 'anti-Brahmin' by 'threatening' Pandey, and started raising slogans such as 'gundagardi ki yeh sarkakr nahi chalegi' and 'Pandey ji ka yeh apman nahi shega Hindustan'. The House was then adjourned till 2.20 pm.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Schools shutting, liquor shops coming up in state: Akhilesh
Varanasi: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led govt in Uttar Pradesh saying the state was opening of new liquor shops in large numbers, while schools were being closed. Addressing party workers after inaugurating his new home-cum-office built on a campus of over 3 bigha area in the Anwarganj area of Azamgarh district on Thursday, Akhilesh criticised BJP govt for "poor state of education and basic facilities". He said BJP was shutting down booths in assembly areas where they lost in the 2022 assembly election. "It is shocking how thousands of schools are being closed while liquor stores are being opened without restraint," he said. Akhilesh added, "Water tanks built in villages under Jal Jeevan Mission are unable to bear burden of corruption, leading to incidents of tank bursts in various districts every month." He compared the Purvanchal Expressway with the Gorakhpur Link Expressway and termed the six-lane roads built during his regime as superior. He also accused BJP of double standards in reservation and secularism. To ensure his party got voted to power in 2027, Akhilesh set goal for party leaders and cadres to secure all seats from Ghaziabad to Sonbhadra for PDA. Akhilesh said if voted to power in UP in 2027, he would ensure every family received 300 units free electricity, iPads and Samajwadi pension of Rs 3,000 for women. He also assured termination of Central govt's Agniveer scheme and strengthening of border security. The meeting was not free of drama by over-enthused SP supporters. One worker jumped into the 'D' security circle in front of the main dais and when he did not leave despite repeated requests from senior leaders, party volunteers and police ousted him. Responding to call of a Brahmin organisation and Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha, many Brahmin families installed black flags at their homes to express their anger against the alleged anti-Brahmin statement of Akhilesh following the Etawah incident.
The Wire
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Priests Oppose UP Govt's Plan to Set up Trust For Management of Vrindavan's Banke Bihari Temple
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government Priests Oppose UP Govt's Plan to Set up Trust For Management of Vrindavan's Banke Bihari Temple The Wire Staff 7 minutes ago Priests from the Goswami sect have been managing the temple since the last few hundred years. Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Photo: Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government's decision to set up a trust for the management of Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan has sparked opposition from priests in Mathura who has termed the move of the BJP government in the state as 'anti-Brahmin.' 'It was because of the penance of our ancestors that God had appeared here. The temple became revered under their supervision, but the government is now taking it over on the pretext of regulating its management,' said Tarachand Goswami, the former chairman of the temple on Wednesday (June 4) reported The Telegraph. Another priest, Vishnu Goswami accused the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government of deliberately trying to snatch the livelihood of Brahmins. Last week, the state government had cleared an ordinance that paved the way for setting up the Shri Banke Bihariji Mandir Nyas Trust. The trust is entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the management of the shrine and its everyday rituals. Priests from the Goswami sect have been managing the temple since the last few hundred years. Some Goswami priests have said that if the government didn't review its decision to take over the temple's management, they will take away the idol, which they say was installed by their ancestors in 1864. A government that confiscates temples cannot be secular. The government is constantly trying to regulate religion with an ulterior motive. The government appears against the Goswami tradition and wants to have its official priests,' said Swami Avimukteshwaranand, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand who has been staying in Mathura since last few days. The government has said that the trust is essential for the construction of a Banke Bihari Corridor around the temple at a cost of Rs. 500 crore. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Fifth Acting DGP in a Row: Why Uttar Pradesh Still Lacks a Permanent Police Chief Interview | 'National Leadership Will Decide on Alliance But UP Congress Is Focusing on All 403 Seats' Days After Cow Vigilante Rampage in Aligarh, Forensic Report Belies Beef Allegations 'They Would Have Abused Vyomika Singh Too if They Knew She was a Dalit': Senior SP Leader's Dig at BJP UP: Over Two Dozen People Arrested for 'Anti-National' and 'Misleading' Posts on Operation Sindoor Row Over Army Statement That India's Air Defence System Shielded Golden Temple From Pakistan's Strikes Karnataka Temple Trust Issues Apology to Muslims After BJP MLA's Inflammatory Speech Temple Politics and Attack on Migrants Are Escalating Tensions Between Bengal and Odisha Andhra: N. Chandrababu Naidu and His Ministers – Including 8 First-Time MLAs – Take Oath View in Desktop Mode About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Posters of
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 21 (ANI): A poster reading 'Akhilesh ko dur bhagana hai, Brahmanon ka samman bachana hai' has come up in Uttar Pradesh, further escalating tensions between Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav. The poster was reportedly put up by BJP Youth Morcha's General Secretary Amit Tripathi at the GPO intersection in Hazratganj. The poster further reads, 'Bhramin Brajesh Pathak ji k Sanman m, Yuva Morcha maidan m, (In honor of Brahmin 'Brajesh Pathak', the Youth Morcha takes the field)' The poster has been put up targeting Akhilesh Yadav, making a reference to saving the honor of Brahmins. 'Akhilesh Ji! enough of the deceit, enough of the anti-Brahmin game, make your anti-Brahmin agents understand, or else... the whole caste politics game will be exposed,' the poster in Hindi reads further. The row is the latest in a spat that began after the SP's official X handle posted a critical remark aimed at Pathak, prompting him to label the SP's politics as rooted in 'Muslim appeasement'. Earlier, posters reading 'Akhilesh Yadav maafi maango' have appeared in Lucknow, escalating tensions between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. The posters, reportedly put up by supporters of Pathak at the 1090 crossing, demand an apology from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and condemn alleged derogatory remarks made by the SP's official 'X' handle against Pathak. Earlier, In a lengthy post on X, UP Deputy CM Brijesh Pathak has mocked SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav's response to an earlier query, alleging that the SP leader had resorted to a poorly crafted 'thesis' that confused political science with 'home science.' '@yadavakhilesh, Yes, in response to my question, you got your team to write a long thesis and even posted it on social media. But I advise you to read such a thesis written by children once before posting it. They may not have paid attention, and you may not have read it out of habit. In this process, you made the mistake of typing the answer using the key of Home Science. The paper was in Political Science. I am asking you about the DNA of your party, Akhilesh ji. If you are speechless, then apologise and end the conversation. Accepting the mistake when you do not have an answer is a sign of a healthy tradition. By changing the goal post again and again, in this desperation to avoid my question about the DNA of the Samajwadi Party, you are getting exposed even more. Why are you so scared of the question about the DNA of the Samajwadi Party?' he said in X post. Pathak challenged Yadav to address the alleged dark legacy of the SP, claiming that discussing the party's DNA would reveal connections to notorious figures like Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari, the Muzaffarnagar riots, the firing on kar sevaks during the Ram Mandir movement, and scams like the Gomti River Front and mining controversies. 'Is it because as soon as this issue is discussed, the door of your Samajwadi Party's DNA will open automatically with some automatic sensor. Then, one by one, the pictures of the mafias of your era will come out. Then the shadows of mafias like Atiq and Mukhta, who flourished in the DNA of the Samajwadi Party, will start emerging. Then the Muzaffarnagar riots will come out of the sleeve, hissing. Then the memories of the firing on Hindus during the Ram Mandir Kar Seva will stun the state. Then, some Atiq will come out of his grave and claim that he will get the matter settled between you and your father. Then the stink of the filth of corruption will start coming from the Gomti River Front. Then the files of the mining scam will come out of the cupboards and start going from house to house,' he said in X post. Earlier on Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party filed an FIR against the media cell of the Samajwadi Party for making 'derogatory remarks' against Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on the party's social media account on X. (ANI)
