Prashant Kishor Questions Mithila Brahmins' Shift Towards BJP, Recalls Muslim Support For Community

Prashant Kishor rebuts the claim of Mithila Brahmins that they switched to the BJP and remembers how the Muslim community had also supported the community.

The Mithila Brahmin community in Bihar has in recent years faced a host of political decisions and economic downturns, which Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor has challenged, encouraging the community to make a shift and move towards education, intellectual pursuits and employment instead of dwelling on the past glories.

Kishor asked the gathering in Mithila, why over the years the economic condition of Brahmins, who make about 3-4 per cent of the population of Bihar, remained so poor despite the presence of members of the community in Bihar Assembly and Parliament.

Instead of winning the hearts of the community through traditional caste politics, Kishor challenged the political voice and economic status of the community, and its changing allegiances among voters.

INVOKES LORD PARSHURAM, Urges focus on education

Lord Parshuram, the warrior-sage who was revered by the Brahmin community, Kishor said the real power of theirs was in their ability to hold a pen and maintain its centuries-old tradition of scholarship.

He invited the community to focus on education, reading and knowledge, calling upon Goddess Saraswati, the one who is associated with knowledge and education.

The questions raised by Brahmins' political affiliation with BJP

Kishor also raised the issue of the community's gradual inclination towards the BJP and brought up the issue of how the Brahmins received support from Muslims in the past in Mithila.

He alleged that Muslim voters were traditionally voting for Brahmin candidates in the area, but had drifted away in time as they wooed the BJP and used anti-Muslim language.

His remarks stressed that the political dynamics in Mithila have altered, with caste identity and religion and electoral alliances still playing a role in voting behavior.

REMARKS SPARK DEBATE

Kishor's remarks on the political representation of the Brahmins, economic conditions and the community's ties with Muslim voters have impressed both the community and the critics.

The Jan Suraaj founder challenged the community's dependence on the political parties and its dependence on past gains, and moved the agenda to education, economic empowerment and political accountability.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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