Noted author and sociologist Ashis Nandy’s comments at Jaiupr Literatire Festival Saturday triggered a political storm with BSP chief Mayawati and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan demanding the registration of a case.
Participating in one of the sessions, Mr Nandy said, “It is a fact that most of the corrupt come from OBCs and Scheduled Castes, and now increasingly the Scheduled Tribes.” He added: “I will give an example. One of the states with the least amount of corruption is the state of West Bengal when the CPI(M) was there. And I must draw attention to the fact that in the last 100 years nobody from the OBC, SC and ST has come anywhere near to power (there). It is an absolutely clean state.”
Sensing that his statement had not only created a flutter in the audience but had the potential to create a huge row in the country, one of the panellists, Ashutosh, a TV journalist, instantaneously challenged his remarks. “This is the most bizarre statement I have heard. The Brahmins and the upper castes can get away with all the corruption but when a low caste person emulates the same thing it becomes so wrong. Such a statement is not right,” he said.
BSP chief Mayawati wanted him jailed immediately. The Congress, BJP, JD(U) and CPI, as well as SC Commission chairman P.L. Punia, condemned the remarks.
Later clarifying his remarks, Mr Nandy did a flip-flop, saying he would apologise if he had been misunderstood. However, when questioned further, he said, “I don’t apologise at all because I hold it very close to my heart. I was, in fact, supporting the cause of those who are marginalised and those who are in minority and those who are oppressed. I have spent all my life supporting their causes and will continue doing it.”