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After IAS officer’s remarks that sparked protest from Brahmins, Madhya Pradesh govt initiates action

IAS officer Santosh Kumar Verma’s remarks ‘prima facie harm social harmony and create animosity in society’, the notice issued to him says

Brahmin community organisations, Brahmin community organisations protests, Brahmin community, Madhya Pradesh government, Madhya Pradesh govt, Indian express news, current affairsThe notice cited specific breaches of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, warning Verma that disciplinary proceedings under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 could follow. He was asked to respond within seven days to the notice.

Deeming his controversial remarks, that led to protests from Brahmin community organisations across the state, a violation of service conduct rules, categorising them as “indiscipline and serious misconduct”, the Madhya Pradesh government has issued a show-cause notice to senior IAS officer Santosh Kumar Verma.

According to a notice issued by the General Administration Department on Wednesday, Verma, who recently took charge as state president of the MP Anusuchit Jati and Janjati Adhikari Evam Karmachari Sangh (AJJAKS), made statements at a conference that “prima facie harm social harmony and create animosity in society.”

The notice cited specific breaches of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, warning Verma that disciplinary proceedings under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969 could follow. He was asked to respond within seven days to the notice.

At the AJJAKS regional summit on November 23 in Bhopal, Verma, who is Deputy Secretary in the state’s Agriculture Department, reportedly said, “One person in one family should get reservation until a Brahmin gives away his daughter to my son or establishes a relationship, if it’s only about the economic condition.”

Following his remarks, Brahmin community groups submitted complaints demanding FIRs at local police stations while leaders from both the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress have demanded disciplinary measures against the officer.

On Tuesday, Verma clarified that his comments were taken out of context. He explained that the discussion at the AJJAKS meeting was about whether reservation should be based on economic or social criteria. Referring to the traditional Hindu ritual of ‘kanyadaan’, he said he never intended to target any community or hurt women’s sentiments. “I express regret if I have hurt anyone,” he had said.

 

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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