Now, FM slams HSSC over ‘casteist’ question

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 16

After drawing flak from Opposition parties for a controversial question on Brahmins in a written test, the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) is in for criticism from the ruling BJP.

Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu has written a letter to HSSC Chairman Bharat Bhushan Bharti, expressing his “distress and concern” on the matter and has demanded action against those responsible for the question.

The question in the written examination for the post of Junior Engineer (Civil) held on April 10 sought to know from the candidates what is not considered a bad omen in Haryana. Of the four options, two were “sight of a Brahmin girl” and “meeting with a black Brahmin”.

In his May 11 letter that went viral on social media on Wednesday, Capt Abhimanyu described the matter as “very sensitive” and said it warranted an investigation.

“It is not only one section of society (Brahmins) who have been hurt by the question, but it has also dealt a blow to the social fabric of society,” the minister said in the letter.

He said it was evident that no single person had framed the questions. “It was a job of several persons. It is surprising and shocking that none could note that such a question had been included in the test.”

“How can we expect our society to march ahead in the positive direction if a government institution such as the HSSC start asking questions that denigrate a particular caste during its recruitment process?” the minister said.