Is Madhya Pradesh IAS Officer Santosh Verma Really 'Mental' and 'Corrupt' as Claimed by MP Vivek Tankha?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The controversy centers around IAS officer Santosh Verma's remarks about Brahmin girls.
- Political leaders from various parties have condemned his comments.
- Calls for Verma's removal from office are gaining traction.
- The Madhya Pradesh government has issued a show-cause notice to Verma.
- Verma has apologized for his remarks, claiming they were misinterpreted.
Bhopal, Nov 29 (NationPress) The backlash against IAS officer Santosh Verma for his inappropriate comments regarding Brahmin girls is intensifying, prompting politicians from various parties to urge Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to take decisive action against him.
Senior political figures, especially from the Brahmin community, including members of both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, have vocally denounced Verma, labeling his remarks as 'objectionable' and 'insensitive', asserting that they threaten the social fabric of the nation.
In the midst of this growing outrage, Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha from the Congress party has launched a scathing critique of Verma, branding him a 'corrupt' officer. Tankha remarked, "The IAS status of Santosh Verma is well-known. It's truly unfortunate that someone like him is part of Madhya Pradesh's elite bureaucratic cadre. Individuals with such a mental outlook are tarnishing the state's environment," he expressed on X.
Tankha also directed his criticisms towards other IAS officers, alleging widespread corruption among them. He stated, "Officers who prioritize corruption over loyalty fall into this category as well." His statements followed earlier discontent expressed by various BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, former State Home Minister Narottam Mishra, and former State Minister Gopal Bhargava, all of whom have demanded Verma's removal from office and a thorough investigation into his actions.
Deputy Chief Minister Shukla, a prominent Brahmin leader from Rewa district in the Vindhya region, condemned Verma's remarks and asserted that stern action would be taken against him. "Such statements against women from any community reflect a perverted mindset. Such declarations from a high-ranking official not only damage social harmony but also undermine the dignity of the administration," Shukla stated on Thursday.
He warned that remarks of this nature against women will be intolerable and that necessary actions would follow if Verma's response was deemed unsatisfactory.
On November 23, during a gathering of the AJJAKS (Association of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Employees) in Bhopal, Verma controversially stated, "Reservation should continue until a Brahmin offers his daughter to my son or consents to a relationship with him." Following widespread criticism from the Brahmin community, the Madhya Pradesh government issued Verma a strongly worded show-cause notice on November 26, demanding an explanation within seven days.
The deadline for his response is December 1; however, Verma has already issued an apology to the media, stating, "If my words have offended any person or community, I sincerely apologize. Some have selectively reported parts of my speech. Those who have ignited this controversy have taken only one line from my comments," he clarified on Friday.