Caste, a spell

Union Minister Ajay Misra’s caste protects him in UP, where Brahmins are perceived to be treated unfairly

- PUJA AWASTHI

KNOWN IN HIS constituency— Kheri, Uttar Pradesh—as Teni Maharaj, Ajay Misra being a Brahmin came as a surprise to those who were not well-acquainted with him. To most casual observers, he had always been Teni. However, it was in the expansion of the Union cabinet in July 2021 that the less-used Misra surname became important.

A few months before the expansion, Misra had won the Sansad Ratna award for 100 percent attendance in the Lok Sabha and for asking the most public interest questions. That made him the first-ever MP from Uttar Pradesh to receive the honour. But, his inclusion in the cabinet as minister of state for home affairs was driven more by the BJP’s aim of bagging the Brahmin vote in the state (around 10 percent) in the 2022 assembly elections.

On October 3, Misra’s reputation was blown away as cars—one of them allegedly driven by his son Ashish—mowed down three farmers and a journalist during protests over the now repealed farm laws. The special investigation team which is probing the incident has damningly held that the violence was planned.

Numerous non-political sources THE WEEK spoke to in Lakhimpur Kheri district said that the intention had been to clear the crowds so that Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya could reach a designated meeting spot. Routes were also changed at least twice; but, both times the farmers got wind of the alternatives and moved to obstruct them. Ashish is one of 13 people accused of the violence. Section 307 (attempt to murder) is likely to be added to the charge sheet.