Kerala High Court Judge Justice V Chitambaresh has sparked a controversy by glorifying Brahmin caste. While speaking at the Tamil Brahmins Global Meet organised by the Kerala Brahmana Sabha in Kochi on last Friday, he also called the Brahmin community to deliberate whether the reservation should be on the basis of community or caste alone.
In a speech started by glorifying the qualities and virtues of a 'Brahmin', he sadi: "A Brahmin is twice-born; because of his previous birth; he has certain distinct characteristics: Clean habits, lofty thinking, sterling character, mostly vegetarian, lover of Carnatic music... All good qualities rolled into one is a Brahmin," he remarked.
"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 voice your concerns about economic reservation alone and not caste or communal reservation," he said at the inaugural address at the meet.
He said it is the responsibility of the Brahmin society to remind government about the rights of members of the community and initiatives like the Tamil Brahmins' Global Meet will help the community raise its voice and rights.
Further, he called for the protection of 'agraharams' in Kerala, Justice Chitambaresh said: "There are innumerable 'agrahaarams' in Kerala. These 'agraharams' should be protected.
'Agraharam' are part of the rich heritage of the Brahmin society. So we should not allow any flats to be developed in those areas." He also said that number of 'ved-pathsalas' are shrinking in number and they should be preserved to protect the 'rich cultural heritage' of the country.