Justice V Chitambaresh, a sitting judge of the Kerala High Court, recently made some extremely controversial remarks about Brahmins and the virtues they are born with. In his speech at the Tamil Brahmin’s Global Meet held on Friday, the judge also called upon the Brahmin community to unite against caste-based reservation.

The judge spoke on the virtues of a Brahmin:

“Now who is a Brahmin? A Brahmin is dwijhanmana – twice born… Because of poorvajanmasuhridham, he is twice born. He has got certain distinct characteristics: clean habits, lofty thinking, sterling character, mostly a vegetarian, a lover of Carnatic music.  All good qualities rolled into one is a brahmin.”

Justice Chitambaresh said that he is not stating any opinion on reservation as he holds a constitutional post but he went on to utter even more controversial words as he asked Brahmins to unite for Economic reservation rather than a caste based reservation.

“It is time for you to deliberate as to whether reservation should be on the basis of community or caste alone. Occupying a constitutional post, it may not be proper for me to express any opinion – I am not expressing my opinion at all. But I am only kindling your interest or reminding you that there is a platform for you to agitate or to voice your concern about economic reservation alone, and not caste or communal reservation.

Of course, there is a 10% reservation for economically backward classes. A son of a Brahmin cook, even if he falls within the non-creamy layer zone, will not get any reservation. Whereas, a son of a timber merchant who belongs to other backward communities will get reservation if he is within the non-creamy layer zone. I am not expressing any opinion at all, it is for you to deliberate and put forward your opinion.“

Furthermore, he added to his address that with the qualities that the community possesses, a Brahmin should always be at the helm of affairs. 

“It may be noted that a Brahmin is never communal, he is always considerate, he is an ahimsavadi. He loves people, he is one who liberally donates for any laudable cause. Such a person should always be at the helm of affairs for which this Tamil Brahmin meet will definitely be a turning point.”

Justice Chitambaresh was designated Senior Advocate in November 2007 who was sworn-in as an Additional Judge of the Kerala High Court in 2011 and he was made permanent Judge in 2012.

– India Legal Bureau