Bhopal, Dec 5 – Senior BJP figure and Madhya Pradesh’s Urban Affairs and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya announced on Friday that the state will pursue disciplinary action against IAS officer Santosh Verma for remarks he allegedly made that were offensive to women from the Brahmin community.
Vijayvargiya explained that the delay in moving against Verma was a result of the Government of CM Mohan Yadav taking time to consider the matter, calling the officer’s statement “highly objectionable” and stressing that such conduct would not be tolerated. “Santosh Verma’s statement is unfortunate and highly objectionable. The government is trying to punish him,” he said after arriving at the Vidhan Sabha for the Winter Session.
The same day, BJP MLA Vishwamitra Pathak of the Sihawal Assembly in Sidhi district reported that CM Mohan Yadav had promised strict action against Verma. Pathak was referring to a meeting that took place a few days prior, where Brahmin MLAs from both BJP and Congress had discussed the issue with the Chief Minister.
During an event organized by the Madhya Pradesh Anusuchit Jati‑Janjati Adhikari Evam Karmachari Sangh (AJJAKS) on 23 Nov in Bhopal, Verma reportedly said, “Reservation should continue until a Brahmin gives away his daughter to my son, or (she) has a relationship with him, if it’s only about the economic aspect.” He had just been named the new state president of the body at that ceremony.
Soon after, Verma apologized for his words, clarifying that “giving away” referred to Kanyadan, the Hindu wedding tradition, and that he was commenting on the so‑called roti‑beti culture which encourages inter‑caste marriages.
Despite the apology, Brahmin groups and leaders launched protests, demanding that an FIR be filed and that Verma face disciplinary measures. The state government responded by issuing a show‑cause notice, stating that his remarks, in the first instance, endangered social harmony and amounted to indiscipline and serious misconduct.
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