Vikas Dubey’s alleged encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police has brought the spotlight back on the simmering discontent brewing between Brahmins and Thakurs for long now. Thanks, to the choice and selection of Yogi Adityanath, a seer, as the Chief Minister of one of India’s most populous state. Apart from designing strategies to combat the menace of Corona intertwined with weekly lockdowns, the state administration and bureaucracy has almost been inept and inefficient in rising to the occasion.
Three years ago, many infants died due to the lack of oxygen in one of the hospitals of Gorakhpur, drawing the ire of people as the person who was the most attentive towards his duty and responsibilities was charged for this act. Dr Kafeel Khan is still languishing in jail for belonging to an identity opposed and despised by the activists and cadres of the ruling BJP government in the state, disqualifying him from seeking justice without being granted any pardon.
I believe this explains the practical purpose of law and legislation in a state where identities come quite close to depriving people of exercising their rights and duties as a citizen, holding the government accountable and answerable, which isn’t the case with our democracy at present.
Lord Parshuram has been erected as a symbol of a unifier for Brahmins in Uttar Pradesh, being intimidated and threatened by fake encounters in broad daylight as many opposition parties and organisations have been crying foul. They believe that Brahmins are unnecessarily being targeted like any other community in the state, being frequently reminded of their rank and position in the hierarchy of state administration and bureaucracy, causing despair in their minds and hearts, leading to resentment and backlash by the voices from within the ranks and files of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
As for BJP MLA Umesh Dwivedi, insurance cover for the Brahmins of UP will surely be beneficial for them. Although Dwivedi was reprimanded by the top brass of the BJP for such an opinion, there were many who stood by his remarks in the best of their capacities irrespective of their affiliations and associations.
SP and BSP have demanded the building of Parshuram’s idols in the state ahead of the UP assembly elections scheduled for March 2022, tasting their chances and opportunities combined in the arithmetic of caste and community alliances. Opposition leaders never let go of such moments, shifting and siding with a narrative they believe could boost their politics and a sense of getting involved and being engaged with the people.
But I believe, instead of scoring the sympathy and support of Brahmins in the face of idol building and consecration, efforts towards a systematic administrative and bureaucratic rejig should be made and attempted if the state government wants “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwaas” for people to prosper.