Congress leader Jitin Prasad has written an open letter to all the Brahmin MLAs in Uttar Pradesh, asking them to raise the issue of Brahmins’ security and alleged harassment against the community during the Monsoon session of the UP Assembly which will commence today. With this development, the fight to woo Brahmin voters has gathered pace in the state.
In his open letter, the former Union Minister wrote, “I appeal to all MLAs to rise above the party to raise the issue of Brahmin security, exploitation of the community and crime against the Brahmins of your area in the Assembly.” Prasad, who has been asked by his party to woo the Brahmins in the state, is regularly raising the issue of community’s security. He has also started ‘Brahmin Chetna Samvad’, an online effort to connect with the community under the Brahmin Chetna Manch.
While talking to The Daily Guardian in Lucknow, Prasad said, “After conducting Brahmin Chetna Samvad in 30 districts, I have realised that the concerns of the community must be voiced in the Assembly and that’s why I have written this open letter to all the lawmakers from the community to rise above party and raise the issues of the community. The state is witnessing how the crime rate has grown against one particular community and this needs to be addressed.”
The issue of the Brahmin security has been hitting the headlines in the state, particularly after the infamous encounter of Kanpur-based gangster Vikas Dubey. The Monsoon session of the UP Assembly may see some more voices raising this issue. BJP MLA Devmani Dwivedi has also reportedly prepared a list of questions to ask in the Assembly about the killings of Brahmins. MLA from Lambhua Assembly seat in Sultanpur district, he wants to know how many Brahmins were killed, how many killers were caught and how many killers managed to get the police punishment in the three years of the Yogi government.
Brahmins are estimated to form about 10 percent of UP’s population. The community is considered to have strength to influence votes much beyond their population and due to which Brahmins have become a much sought-after community in the state.