The BJP, which earned the “Brahmin-Bania party” tag in its early years due to roots dominated by upper-caste Brahmins and trading Bania communities, transformed under Narendra Modi (an OBC) and Amit Shah from 2014, shattering the upper-caste image and securing massive electoral wins. While Upper castes still dominate, Brahmin discontent highlights tensions in the saffron balancing act.
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On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow to honour the life and ideals of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and BJP ideologues Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prasad Mookerjee. Sources said the aim was also to assuage a particular community, which has largely supported the saffron party. Significantly, the three late leaders all belonged to the Brahmin community
Of late, there have been reports of discontent in the community in Hindi heartland states, particularly in Uttar Pradesh where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is a Thakur. Their unhappiness seems to have increased following the appointment of new BJP state chief Pankaj Chaudhary — a Kurmi leader and the fourth from the caste to head UP BJP in an outreach to OBCs to counter rival Samajwadi Party’s PDA alliances.
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What sparked a major political controversy was a meeting of Brahmin MLAs, prompting Chaudhary to issue a warning against such gatherings. The move drew sharp reactions from Samajwadi chief Akhilesh Yadav and the Congress, highlighting growing unease among Brahmin leaders within the ruling party. Adding fuel to the fire was an August meeting of Thakur MLAs in Lucknow, which did not attract any such warning from the BJP leadership. Fishing in troubled waters, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai accused the BJP leadership of “insulting” Brahmin MLAs. He said meetings of other caste groups were held without objection, but Brahmin leaders were singled out. Rai urged the MLAs to take a strong stand, assuring them of Congress support against any injustice.
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The meeting in question took place on December 23 at the Lucknow residence of Kushinagar BJP MLA P N Pathak. It saw the attendance of around 45 to 50 Brahmin MLAs, said to have also included some from other parties. According to sources, the MLAs discussed concerns that Brahmins are losing influence in caste-based politics and being ignored within the BJP and the government. They felt that despite the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak from the community, real authority had not been given.
Concerns were also raised about the reduced representation of Brahmins in party positions, influential representatives in the RSS, BJP, and government who can effectively raise community issues. They are said to have decided to hold another meeting in January which is expected to be attended by former MLAs, MPs, and retired IAS, IPS, and judicial officers, according to reports,
The BJP, which earned the “Brahmin-Bania party” label in its early years due to roots dominated by upper-caste Brahmins and trading Bania communities, transformed under Narendra Modi (an OBC) and Amit Shah from 2014, shattering the upper-caste image and securing massive electoral wins. Upper castes still dominate, but Brahmin discontent highlights tensions in the saffron balancing act. Notably RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat belongs to the Karhade Brahmin community.
In UP, which sends as many as 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha, BJP appoints OBC and Kurmi leaders to top posts to consolidate non-Yadav backward caste votes and counter opposition caste mobilisation. Brahmins have traditionally been a core support base for the BJP, especially in UP and Hindi heartland states, and continue to be so. In the 2022 UP Assembly elections, the BJP reportedly received around 89% of Brahmin votes, underlining their continued political importance.
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