Thiruvananthapuram erupted into political controversy on February 16 as Congress veteran Manishankar Aiyar launched a scathing attack on Brahmanism, Thakurism, and what he calls the twisted ideology of Hindutva. In an IANS interview, the outspoken leader rejected his Brahmin roots while embracing a reformist view of Hinduism, sparking nationwide discussions on caste, religion, and politics.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Aiyar shared, ‘Born into a Brahmin family by chance, not choice. I’ve never worn the janeu post-childhood and skipped rituals like sandhyavandanam. My time at Shivanananda Ashram shaped me as a foe of orthodox practices, while cherishing Hindu thought.’
He vehemently opposed Hindutva, branding it ‘a distortion of Hindu dharma and exploitation of a noble faith.’ Dismissing labels of Brahmanism against him, Aiyar compared it to alleging BJP ties for Pinarayi Vijayan—preposterous.
In an unexpected nod, Aiyar endorsed Yogi Adityanath’s pollution warnings for Delhi. ‘Living there, my lungs holding up is astonishing. He’s spot-on here, though nothing else,’ he noted wryly. Mocking UP’s atmosphere, he joked, ‘In UP, it’s “Yogi-Yogi” or bust,’ before emphasizing it was environmental, not electoral.
Addressing Thakurism, Aiyar aligned if it meant dismantling feudal structures. ‘Against zamindari and landlord dominance, possibly referencing Bihar? I’m all for it. Ready to proclaim: Brahmanism down, Thakurism down!’
This intervention arrives amid heightened caste sensitivities and Hindutva’s electoral push. Aiyar’s critique revives Congress’s social justice legacy while exposing rifts in the opposition. Political analysts predict backlash from right-wing groups, but Aiyar remains unapologetic, urging a return to egalitarian ideals in Indian society.