In a significant gathering during the ongoing winter session of the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly, members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) belonging to the Brahmin community convened a meeting in Lucknow. The assembly saw the participation of approximately four dozen legislators, with discussions centered on social cohesion and cultural values rather than politics.
Addressing Social Fragmentation and Family Values
MLA Ratnakar Mishra, who was present at the meeting, clarified its primary objective. He stated that the core agenda was to deliberate on the perceived fragmentation within the Brahmin community. Mishra expressed concern over the breakdown of traditional joint family systems, attributing it to the younger generation's increasing inclination towards Western lifestyles.
"Our only one objective was to bring these children in one direction and how to unite everyone," Mishra explained. He highlighted a growing worry about elderly parents moving to old age homes, emphasizing the need to find ways to keep families united under one roof. The meeting aimed to strategize on bringing the community's youth back into the cultural mainstream and reinforcing traditional family structures.
Defining the Community's Role and Denying Political Motives
Mishra further elaborated on the perceived societal role of Brahmins, stating that imparting values and culture is their traditional work. He saw nothing wrong in the community holding a meeting for this purpose and even suggested that every community should organize similar gatherings to integrate everyone into the mainstream of 'Bharat Mata'.
He was categorical in dismissing any political angle to the meeting. "Political brainstorming is not necessary for us because under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji's government, there is no mafia rule, and all systems are better, so there was no need for political brainstorming," Mishra asserted. He also noted his lack of specific information about the party affiliations of all attendees, as he arrived slightly late to the gathering.
Organiser's Statement and Precedents from Other Communities
P N Pathak, the Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Kushinagar who organized the meeting, provided further details. He confirmed that the meeting was exclusively for Brahmin MLAs and no legislators from other parties were present. Pathak firmly denied any political purpose behind the event and dismissed media speculation about community discontent.
"Various things are being circulated in the media that Brahmins are angry, but nothing like that is true. Brahmins are only talking for upliftment and social welfare," Pathak stated. He added that alongside the main discussion, MLAs also talked about matters related to the Legislative Assembly session and enjoyed a party feast together.
Ratnakar Mishra pointed out that such community-centric meetings are not unprecedented. He recalled that MLAs from the Thakur and Kurmi communities had previously held their own assemblies, which he considered a positive development. He advocated for more communities to follow suit to ensure better social integration and connection with the national mainstream.
