Pune: Community organisations demand Brahmin candidate from Kasba Peth Assembly segment

October 17, 2024

Pune: Various community organisations of the Brahmins have demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should field a community member from the Kasba Peth constituency.

This has once again brought to the anvil the issue of representation for the Brahmins, which may complicate matters for the party. These social organisations insist that the Brahmin community should get representation to amplify the ‘Hindutva’ voice.

The issue was raised ahead of the Kasba Peth Assembly bypoll one-and-a-half years ago. The community was not happy as a Brahmin candidate was not fielded from the BJP, which faced defeat in its fortress. Parties have not declared their candidates yet for the State polls. However, the community is demanding representation even before that.

These community organisations’ demand is as follows: ‘The State Assembly polls will be fought on the basis of religion, caste and sect. Reservations based on castes have strengthened the caste identities. This has weakened the voice of ‘Hindutva’. The Brahmin community has been dedicatedly carrying forward the legacy for the sake of the nation. The community has been supporting the ‘Hindutva’. In the backdrop of politics and social set-up in the State, the BJP and the Shiv Sena (BT) have always stuck to this ideology and followed an inclusive policy by giving priority to the Brahmins. They have announced plans to set up the Parshuram Financial Development Corporation for the community. Therefore, the community should get representation in at least 30 constituencies in the State, where it is a majority’.

Community organisations’ demand

Amhi Sare Brahman, Parshuram Seva Sangh, Brahman Jagruti Seva Sangh, Akhil Bharatiya Brahman Mahasangh, Chitpavan Astitva Sanstha, Deshastha Rigvedi Shikshanottejak Sanstha, Yadnyavalkya Ashram, Karhade Brahman Sangh, Maharashtra Brahman Sabha, Swatantryaveer Savarkar Jayanti Samiti, Krushna Yajurvedi Taitariya Sangh, Shukla Yajurvediya Madhyandin Madhyavarti Brahma Mandal and Akhil Brahman Madhyavarti Sanstha have put forth their demand, said Coordinator Bhalchandra Kulkarni.

He said, “The Kasba Assembly constituency has a large number of Brahmins. Therefore, parties should field a community candidate from the segment. Earlier, community candidates such as the late Girish Bapat, Mukta Tilak, Anna Joshi, Dr Arvind Lele represented the constituency. Particularly, the BJP should take note of this and consider our demand.”