‘Till Brahmins don’t give up their daughters, reservations will continue’: Read about hateful and casteist IAS officer Santosh Verma, previously jailed for fraud

Bhopal witnessed a major controversy on Sunday, 23rd November, after senior IAS officer Santosh Verma, who was recently elected as the state president of Anusuchit Jati Evam Janjati Adhikari Evam Karmachari Sangh (AJAKS), made an extremely objectionable and casteist remark during a public event. The comment, made at the Ambedkar Maidan in the state capital, quickly snowballed into a statewide outrage, raising questions on his intentions, the organisation’s image, and the growing caste tensions in the political environment. Verma said that reservation in India should continue until a Brahmin gives his daughter to his son in marriage or forms a relationship with him. A video of this statement went viral within hours, and the reaction was immediate, intense, and in many cases, deeply worrying. Speaking on whether reservation should be granted on economic basis he said, “until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son or has a relationship with him, reservations should continue.” Many people have called the remark casteist, misogynistic, and deliberately provocative. Others believe it is part of a dangerous narrative that fuels division rather than strengthening social harmony. At a time when reservation is already a sensitive issue, this kind of statement has raised alarms across communities.  This report looks at what exactly happened, how different groups reacted, and why Santosh Verma’s past is also being discussed again after this latest controversy. Where the controversial statement was made The incident took place during the provincial convention of AJAKS, held at Ambedkar Maidan in Tulsi Nagar. The organisation represents SC-ST employees and officers working in various government departments, and its events usually discuss issues like reservation, promotions, workplace harassment, and representation. During his speech, Verma started talking about economic reservation and social discrimination. But within minutes, his tone changed, and he made the remark that has now caused a political storm. In the viral video, Verma is seen saying that reservation should continue until upper-caste families, especially Brahmins, accept SC communities as equals in social relationships. The way he framed it, “until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son or forms a relationship”, has been widely condemned. IAS Santosh Verma: “Reservations should stay until a Brahmin gives his daughter to my son.” How can someone in public service speak with such a backward, caste-obsessed mindset…? pic.twitter.com/bnwNVwO3Pw— Megh Updates (@MeghUpdates) November 25, 2025 The reference to “donating a daughter” struck many as insensitive, patriarchal, and totally out of place in modern society. Several women’s groups have questioned the mindset behind such a statement, saying it treats women as objects rather than individuals with agency. People are also asking whether reservation, a constitutional tool meant for social justice, should ever be discussed in terms of personal relationships or caste revenge. Anger from Brahmin organisations and demand for action The president of the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Samaj, Pushpendra Mishra, called the comment “highly condemnable” and demanded immediate action from Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav. Mishra said that Verma’s remarks insulted the entire Brahmin community and that legal action should be taken against him under relevant sections. If the government failed to act, he warned of a state-wide agitation. Similarly, Dr Shailendra Vyas, head of the Brahmin Sabha Madhya Pradesh, said the remark reflected a “cheap and divisive mindset.” He said that someone holding a high administrative post should behave responsibly, not make statements that can create tensions. He added that if the government didn’t take action, the community would be forced to take matters into its own hands. His response itself showed how quickly caste anger can escalate when provocative comments are made from public platforms. Sharp criticism from other employee groups too It wasn’t just Brahmin organisations that opposed Verma’s remark. Employee associations from different castes and communities also condemned it. The president of the Ministry Employees Association, engineer Sudhir Nayak, said Verma’s words insulted the entire upper-caste community and went against the spirit of equality. He emphasised that marriage is a personal choice and that daughters are not objects that can be “donated” or exchanged. He reminded the audience that Indian society has already changed a lot. He cited examples such as Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s marriage to Savita Ambedkar, who came from a Brahmin family, and former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan’s marriage to Reena Sharma. These examples, he said, show that change should be natural, not forced through provocative statements. Another association, the Class III Employees Union, also criticised Verma. Their general secretary, Umashankar Tiwa