Unfair deal for the fair caste? Brahmins of Karnataka threaten to hit NOTA

Bengaluru, Apr 26: Angered by the major political parties’ apathy over their demands, the leaders of Brahmin community in Karnataka have threatened to hit NOTA (none of the above) on the Electronic Voting Machine in the May 12 state assembly polls.

On condition of anonymity, a representative of the Akhila Bharatiya Brahaman Mahasangha (ABBM) told coastaldigest.com that the federation may advise the community members to register their protest by rejecting the candidates of all the parties.

Nearly a month ago, the ABBM had put forth its demands for the upcoming polls and vowed to support any political party that would include them in its poll manifesto.

The demands of the ABBM included setting up a 'Brahmana Welfare Foundation', launching an honorarium of Rs 5,000 for poor priests, and enacting Prevention of Atrocities against Brahmins Act.

None of the political parties, however, have considered these demands seriously. Hence, the ABBM has helplessly decided to choose NOTA option, he said.

According to Govinda Kulkarni, the president of ABBM, a considerable number of people in the Brahmin community are lagging behind in all sectors and many Brahmin families are struggling for a livelihood. 

“The economic condition of the community is in a bad state. In spite of this fact, the Brahmin community is often being targeted by all,” he lamented.