Tamil Brahmins in Kerala seek minority status

[vgane]

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I think we need some new tag to get our status in society...Earlier tag was Brahmin..Now that tag has been debased by anti brahmin Dravidian hegemonists, ultra leftists, secularists and Church backed Tamil separatists...

How about the Kerala TB counterpart in TN? Why are we still sleeping and not acting! By our silence we will get more barbs from other Hindu communities who support us!!

September 23, 2015
[h=1]Tamil Brahmins seek minority status[/h]

• K. A. Shaji

The Hindu
The Kerala Brahmana Sabha says it is not against benefits going to any other community. File photo: K.K. Najeeb
[h=2]The two-day State conference of the Kerala Brahmana Sabha in Palakkad from October 3 will formally endorse the demand for minority status.[/h]
The Kerala Brahmana Sabha (KBS), which represents the sizeable Tamil Brahmin population in the State, is planning an agitation to press for minority status for the State’s Tamil Brahmins.
The KBS is in consultations with Gujarat’s Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel to firm up the agitation plan.
A two-day State conference of the KBS in Palakkad from October 3 will formally endorse the demand for minority status.
KBS vice-president and managing director of the Kerala State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDC) Karimpuzha Raman told The Hindu that his organisation was in touch with Mr. Patel. He has agreed to take part in a KBS convention in this regard, which would be held in Thiruvananthapuram early November, he added.
Mr. Raman claimed that his organisation was not against reservation benefits going to any other community.
“We just want our own share. Our numbers are dwindling and the community is in dire straits. The government must give reservation benefits at the entry level to all who are eligible. But extending the same privilege again and again to one set of people and denying the same to another is a matter of worry,” he said.
He added that the Tamil Brahmins welcomed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s contention that reservations had been used for political ends. “We endorse his demand for setting up an apolitical committee to examine who really needs reservation and for how long,” Mr. Raman said.

The KBS would be the second upper caste forum to up the ante for minority status this fortnight.
Earlier, Yogakshema Sabha, the forum of Kerala’s Namboodiri Brahmins, had aired the same demand.
It was categorical that minority status should be calculated State-wise and not on the basis of a national-level assessment.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...erala-seek-minority-status/article7680100.ece

 

[krish44]

Others can learn from them.....

I have always believed that kerala brahmins are better organised

 

[vgane]

Others can learn from them.....

I have always believed that kerala brahmins are better organised

It is again a mirage...The Kerala Iyers are also facing the worst existential crisis with rampant inter caste/inter religion marriages (some commenting that they are on the verge of extinction) and difficulties in getting admission & Government employment...They do not face organized anti brahmin resistance & social barbs as their counterparts in TN, however...They are called as Battars by others derisively but do not encounter the virulent hate campaign that TB's face in TN...

 

[tbs]

It is again a mirage...The Kerala Iyers are also facing the worst existential crisis with rampant inter caste/inter religion marriages (some commenting that they are on the verge of extinction) and difficulties in getting admission & Government employment...They do not face organized anti brahmin resistance & social barbs as their counterparts in TN, however...They are called as Battars by others derisively but do not encounter the virulent hate campaign that TB's face in TN...

hi

just info..they are NOT KERALA IYERS....THEY ARE CALLED KERALA NAMBOOTHIRIS.....SO THEY CALLED KERALA BRAHMINS...

KERALA IYERS ARE MIGRATED FROM TAMIL NADU....

 

[krish44]

I understand that Muslim groups and dravidian groups do not take kindly to organisations promoting brahmin cause.

My relative in triplicane area was telling me that Ganesh procession was passing in her street with fear of disruption from these elements .The residents were .

forced to close the windows of their homes due to police bandobast with eye being kept on other groups.

Her house is right on a street with predominent muslim population.

It is crowded with shops and public transport.

It is considered sensitive.

 

[CHANDRU1849]

I understand that Muslim groups and dravidian groups do not take kindly to organisations promoting brahmin cause.

My relative in triplicane area was telling me that Ganesh procession was passing in her street with fear of disruption from these elements .The residents were .

forced to close the windows of their homes due to police bandobast with eye being kept on other groups.

Her house is right on a street with predominent muslim population.

It is crowded with shops and public transport.

It is considered sensitive.

What is the relationship between Ganesh Procession and Brahmin cause? Both are different subjects.

Why do Muslims cry against Brahmin's welfare? One can understand the dravidian rationalists attitude towards Brahmins. Even Muslims are against this, can't you ignore them?

 

[krish44]

The procession was in muslim dominated area organised by brahmin munnani.for muslim ,it was a hindu procession in their area where they were planning to have a

muslim procession also for their festival. for dravidian party , it was a brahmin procession.It is a festive season for both religions

 

[vgane]

hi

just info..they are NOT KERALA IYERS....THEY ARE CALLED KERALA NAMBOOTHIRIS.....SO THEY CALLED KERALA BRAHMINS...

KERALA IYERS ARE MIGRATED FROM TAMIL NADU....

No Sir..I am quite clear in this...I am not talking about the Namboodiris...I have written a separate thread about the issues faced by Kerala Iyers

http://www.tamilbrahmins.com/showthread.php?t=15089

 

[sangom]

It is again a mirage...The Kerala Iyers are also facing the worst existential crisis with rampant inter caste/inter religion marriages (some commenting that they are on the verge of extinction) and difficulties in getting admission & Government employment...They do not face organized anti brahmin resistance & social barbs as their counterparts in TN, however...They are called as Battars by others derisively but do not encounter the virulent hate campaign that TB's face in TN...

I also feel that the KIs are embarking on a short-sighted and suicidal course by asking for minority status. Of course, no government is going to even react to this. But the KIs (like the TBs I see in this forum at least) seem to forget history conveniently and like a voracious child, are asking for more and more. They ought to refresh their memory and recall the Malayali Memorial (1891) and the Ezhava Memorial (1896) and their after-effects. Although the Kerala society is very polished outwardly, these KIs should be aware that even today, there is no love lost between the Tamil brahmins and the rest of the castes here.

 

[krish44]

Is there any love for brahmins in any other state?

They have isolated themselves from the mainstream and hoped that this will give them protection from dominant castes.

Their satvik nature does not permit confrontation by violent means.

They would like majority community holding power to give them their rightful share.

Since they are law abiding by nature, they are easy to manage by political leadership.

They being in very small numbers also makes them ineffective in any collective action.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

The procession was in muslim dominated area organised by brahmin munnani.

You are conveniently twisting the facts.

There is no Brahmin Munnani.

This procession is organised by various groups dominated by Hindu Munnani.

Muslim dominated area falls en route of the said procession.

Elaborate security arrangements are put in place by the law enforcing agencies as usual.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Is there any love for brahmins in any other state?

They have isolated themselves from the mainstream and hoped that this will give them protection from dominant castes.

Their satvik nature does not permit confrontation by violent means.

They would like majority community holding power to give them their rightful share.

Since they are law abiding by nature, they are easy to manage by political leadership.

They being in very small numbers also makes them ineffective in any collective action.

Is there any love for Brahmins at Delhi??

Why they have isolated themselves from the mainstream??

Why the majority groups also prove ineffective in certain areas?

 

[CHANDRU1849]

Is there any love for brahmins in any other state?

They have isolated themselves from the mainstream and hoped that this will give them protection from dominant castes.

Their satvik nature does not permit confrontation by violent means.

They would like majority community holding power to give them their rightful share.

Since they are law abiding by nature, they are easy to manage by political leadership.

They being in very small numbers also makes them ineffective in any collective action.

The Bs in other States are bold enough to face challenges and not like the South Indian Bs. The CMs of Maharashtra and West Bengal are Bs, let alone TN. Three important portfolios in the Central Ministry are held by Bs.

In South India, collective action is simply impossible among Bs, as there are lot of groups in the B community with different ideology. Unless Bs come under a common platform in their practices, unity is only a myth. 'Unity in diversity' can only be a slogan but not for affirmative action.

A Smartha cannot be a Vaishnava or Madhwa and vice versa.

 

[biswa]

But B's in Bengal are not really B's since they eat meat! So do some of the Maharashtrian B's.

 

[CHANDRU1849]

But B's in Bengal are not really B's since they eat meat! So do some of the Maharashtrian B's.

If the basic criteria to become a B is not eating meat, then Saiva Mudaliar, Saiva Pillai and Jains are also coming under B category.

Who has to decide the qualification of a B?

 

[CHANDRU1849]

I also feel that the KIs are embarking on a short-sighted and suicidal course by asking for minority status. Of course, no government is going to even react to this. But the KIs (like the TBs I see in this forum at least) seem to forget history conveniently and like a voracious child, are asking for more and more. They ought to refresh their memory and recall the Malayali Memorial (1891) and the Ezhava Memorial (1896) and their after-effects. Although the Kerala society is very polished outwardly, these KIs should be aware that even today, there is no love lost between the Tamil brahmins and the rest of the castes here.

A reply has been made on the above subject by one Mr K V Narayanmurti, under Letters to the Editor Column of the The Hindu today.

The letter is reproduced below:

QUOTE

BRAHMINS AS MINORITIES

The news about the planned agitation by Tamil Brahmins in Kerala is depressing for many reasons (Tamil Brahmins seek minority status, Sep 23).

Kerala has always been most friendly and respectful to the community of Tamil migrants. As one who has lived most of my 86 years here, I am overwhelmed by the regard and respect I have received as a Brahmin, including from the Christians and Muslims.

The present attempt by Kerala Brahmana Sabha (KBS) is to upset the equilibrium. Frankly, the Brahmins here can have no complaint. While they constitute only about three percent of the population, they get a larger share of the cake, be it in schools, colleges or the government. KBS would do well to seriously consider the possibility of diverting the huge funds at the disposal of the community samoohams and temple toward the community's empowerment by enriching the educational, health and social standards of people.

K V Narayanmurti
Palakkad

UNQUOTE

Is it true? If so, why are Brahmins agitating? If the above version is not true, a suitable reply should be sent to the above person, if possible.

 

[sangom]

....

Is it true? If so, why are Brahmins agitating? If the above version is not true, a suitable reply should be sent to the above person, if possible.

It is the usual syndrome. Once upon a time it was sufficient to be a tabra (called also as "paradESi brAhmaNan", "paTTar", etc.,) to get a job under the royal regime of Travancore. This had resulted in very unqualified and sub-standard people occupying even the top-most jobs while well-qualified Malayalis other than paTTars could not get even a clerical job. Out of this frustration arose the Malayali Memorial, spearheaded by Barrister G.K. Pillai; this memorandum of appeal to the then ruler Moolam Tirunal was looked upon favourably by the king and more of the qualified Malayalis were appointed to various posts under the king's rule. Then followed the Ezhava Memorial, and the king saw substance in that also and allowed the ezhavas (a backward, untouchable caste) to government jobs. Both these were towards the close of the 19th. century. After that also the paTTars held the fortress to a very large extent but when Independence, the Constitution and the reservations came like a tsunami, the tabras lost all advantages of the caste tag. They now want at least some crumbs of the government jobs pie thrown to them. That's all.

 

[krish44]

There are two schools of thought among the brahmin class IMHO.

One believes -take what is given /available and not disturb status quo as they might lose existing advantages

The other feels assert and try getting more as a matter of right.

They have no political strength.

Their marginal numbers can only matter where contests are decided by a small vote percentage

They can of course get a seat or two by aligning or joining a political party like the marxists , bjp or some faction of congress.

 

[tbs]

It is the usual syndrome. Once upon a time it was sufficient to be a tabra (called also as "paradESi brAhmaNan", "paTTar", etc.,) to get a job under the royal regime of Travancore. This had resulted in very unqualified and sub-standard people occupying even the top-most jobs while well-qualified Malayalis other than paTTars could not get even a clerical job. Out of this frustration arose the Malayali Memorial, spearheaded by Barrister G.K. Pillai; this memorandum of appeal to the then ruler Moolam Tirunal was looked upon favourably by the king and more of the qualified Malayalis were appointed to various posts under the king's rule. Then followed the Ezhava Memorial, and the king saw substance in that also and allowed the ezhavas (a backward, untouchable caste) to government jobs. Both these were towards the close of the 19th. century. After that also the paTTars held the fortress to a very large extent but when Independence, the Constitution and the reservations came like a tsunami, the tabras lost all advantages of the caste tag. They now want at least some crumbs of the government jobs pie thrown to them. That's all.

hi

by the grace of EMS ....pattars lost all lands in palakkad....some become cooks/clerks/crooks tooo...

finally pattars ended up as stenos/clerks of gujarati seth in BOMBAY and settled down at MATTHUNGA/CHEMBUR....lol

 

[yesmohan]

The procession was in muslim dominated area organised by brahmin munnani.for muslim ,it was a hindu procession in their area where they were planning to have a

muslim procession also for their festival. for dravidian party , it was a brahmin procession.It is a festive season for both religions

I beg to differ that Ganesh Procession is a brahmin procession. Majority of the organisers and the participants in Ganesh processions are Non-Brahmins.

 

[CHANDRU1849]

It is the usual syndrome. Once upon a time it was sufficient to be a tabra (called also as "paradESi brAhmaNan", "paTTar", etc.,) to get a job under the royal regime of Travancore. This had resulted in very unqualified and sub-standard people occupying even the top-most jobs while well-qualified Malayalis other than paTTars could not get even a clerical job. Out of this frustration arose the Malayali Memorial, spearheaded by Barrister G.K. Pillai; this memorandum of appeal to the then ruler Moolam Tirunal was looked upon favourably by the king and more of the qualified Malayalis were appointed to various posts under the king's rule. Then followed the Ezhava Memorial, and the king saw substance in that also and allowed the ezhavas (a backward, untouchable caste) to government jobs. Both these were towards the close of the 19th. century. After that also the paTTars held the fortress to a very large extent but when Independence, the Constitution and the reservations came like a tsunami, the tabras lost all advantages of the caste tag. They now want at least some crumbs of the government jobs pie thrown to them. That's all.

Will you agree Narayanmurti's statement that Bs have no problems in education/employment in Kerala?

 

[கால பைரவன்]

A reply has been made on the above subject by one Mr K V Narayanmurti, under Letters to the Editor Column of the The Hindu today.

The letter is reproduced below:

QUOTE

BRAHMINS AS MINORITIES

The news about the planned agitation by Tamil Brahmins in Kerala is depressing for many reasons (Tamil Brahmins seek minority status, Sep 23).

Kerala has always been most friendly and respectful to the community of Tamil migrants. As one who has lived most of my 86 years here, I am overwhelmed by the regard and respect I have received as a Brahmin, including from the Christians and Muslims.

The present attempt by Kerala Brahmana Sabha (KBS) is to upset the equilibrium. Frankly, the Brahmins here can have no complaint. While they constitute only about three percent of the population, they get a larger share of the cake, be it in schools, colleges or the government. KBS would do well to seriously consider the possibility of diverting the huge funds at the disposal of the community samoohams and temple toward the community's empowerment by enriching the educational, health and social standards of people.

K V Narayanmurti
Palakkad

UNQUOTE

Is it true? If so, why are Brahmins agitating? If the above version is not true, a suitable reply should be sent to the above person, if possible.

KVN, whoever he is, appears to be very naive. What does being a respected community have to do with minority status? Does he mean that the Christians and Muslims who are at present minorities in Kerala are without any respect, I wonder?

The minority status comes with special privileges. That is why the Jains and Sikhs fought for it and succeeded. That is why groups such as lingayats/veerashaivas are fighting and want to be declared as minority at all costs. Even the educational empowerment that KVN talks about is not easy to achieve without a minority tag anymore, thanks to highly communal laws such as RTE which discriminate against hindu-run institutions. There is a reason why the satyha sai baba institutes, the vivekananda institutes all want this minority tag.

There is constant propaganda in the media and also in this forum how India/Indian govt is becoming more and more communal and anti-minority. News articles such as these expose the lies behind such propaganda.

If minorities live in constant fear, would all these communities want to be declared as minority?!

 

[sarang]

Minority status benefits not only the poor of the group but also the rich and powerful of the community. For example, if one wants to start an educational institution (say medical) many conditions are relaxed - land purchase, admission of studetns, appointment of faculty, finance - and many more. Minority can be based on religion, language, community and a few more parameters.

 

[vgane]

Minority status benefits not only the poor of the group but also the rich and powerful of the community. For example, if one wants to start an educational institution (say medical) many conditions are relaxed - land purchase, admission of studetns, appointment of faculty, finance - and many more. Minority can be based on religion, language, community and a few more parameters.

I support the demand for minority status for Tamil Brahmins in both TN & Kerala...Our community is dwindling not only in % terms but in absolute numbers also