Madhya Pradesh IAS Officer Faces Dismissal Over Controversial Remarks on Brahmins and Judiciary

Various organizations have accused the IAS officer of violating constitutional norms.

Santosh Verma, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who recently sparked controversy with his comments regarding Brahmin women and high court judges, is now facing disciplinary action ordered by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav.

The General Administration Department (GAD) has launched multiple administrative and disciplinary measures against Verma, who serves as president of the Madhya Pradesh Scheduled Castes and ST Officers and Employees Association (AJJAKS).

GAD's investigation revealed that a fraudulent promotion order was created to facilitate Verma's advancement from the State Administrative Service to the Indian Administrative Service. With criminal cases related to the alleged document forgery pending in several courts, the state government has determined that his IAS promotion obtained through fraudulent means is invalid. The state is forwarding a dismissal proposal to the central government.

Officials have deemed Verma's response to the show-cause notice unsatisfactory and noted his continued inappropriate statements. Consequently, authorities have decided to issue a formal chargesheet against him.

The government has removed Verma from his position as Deputy Secretary in the Agriculture Department and reassigned him to the GAD pool without any departmental responsibilities or work duties.

This administrative action follows a fresh political and social controversy triggered by Verma's recent statements at an AJAKS conference. A viral video shows Verma accusing the High Court of preventing Scheduled Tribe candidates from becoming civil judges, claiming that the judicial recruitment process deliberately excludes SC and ST candidates.

His comments have intensified protests from Brahmin and upper-caste organizations, which were already demonstrating against his earlier controversial remark that reservation should continue "until a Brahmin gives his daughter in marriage to our son."

The Brahmin Samaj United Front has announced plans for a large-scale protest, including surrounding the Chief Minister's residence on December 14. Preparations for this demonstration will begin December 13, with community groups planning to march from Vallabh Bhavan after ceremonial conch shell blowing at the Maharana Pratap statue.

Verma has denied any wrongdoing. In an exclusive NDTV interview, he claimed the controversy is being used to target him due to internal leadership conflicts within AJJAKS.

"The target is not Santosh Verma. The target is the AJAKS office. They want to seize control of the organization. Personal attacks on me are a distraction," he stated.