Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The statement made by IAS officer Santosh Verma on Brahmin girls at a function of the Anusuchit Jati Evam Janjati Karmachari Sangh on Monday snowballed into a major issue on Tuesday.
The Brahmins across the country tore into Verma throughout the day. The leaders of the BJP and the Congress were critical of the statement.
The members of the Brahmin Samaj staged sit-ins across the state, demanding action against Verma.
Meanwhile, Verma tendered an apology, saying his statement was twisted.
According to him, out of his 27-minute address, only the speech delivered for two seconds was made viral.
He said he had no intention to say anything wrong about the girls of any community, and he only spoke about social equality.
Verma said, ‘‘Reservation should continue until a Brahmin gives the hands of his daughters to his sons.’’
Union minister Satish Ranjan Dubey also demanded action against Verma. Dubey said the caste-based and anti-women statement of a senior officer was objectionable.
The statement indicates the divisive mindset, Dubey said, adding that Indian traditions teach everyone to respect others.
It does not teach anyone to disregard people, Dubey said, adding that the government will never pardon the people with narrow mindsets.
BJP legislator Rameshwar Sharma said some people with a casteist mindset were trying to break unity among the Hindus.
People with criminal mentalities cannot have their way, and unity of the Sanatani people will prevail.
The members of the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Samaj staged a sit-in outside the MP Nagar police station and handed over a memorandum, demanding an FIR against Verma.
The Mantralaya Adhikari and Karmachari Sangh submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla demanding action against the IAS officer.
Rs 51K reward announced for blackening Verma’s face
President of the Sanatani Sena, Bhagwati Shukla, has demanded the Chief Minister act against Verma as soon as possible. Or else, the person who blackens the face of IAS officer Santosh Verma will be given a reward of Rs 51,000.
