
Nayi Brahmin Community Protests High Court Ruling, Demands Protection of Traditional Livelihood and Identity
Key Concerns and Objections Raised by the Nayi Brahmin Community:
1. Historical and Generational Livelihood: The leaders emphasized that barbering has been the sole livelihood of Nayi Brahmins for generations, and their ancestors dedicated their lives to the service without diversifying into other professions. They questioned the intent behind the court's verdict, asking:
'How do we justify the sacrifices made by our forefathers who never abandoned this profession?'
2. Cultural and Ritual Importance: The community highlighted their indispensable role in both auspicious and inauspicious Hindu rituals—from birth ceremonies to funeral rites. They posed the question:
> 'Can any ritual from birth to death take place without the presence of a Nayi Brahmin?'
3. Religious Significance in Temples: Citing traditions, they pointed out that Nayi Brahmins are the first to awaken the deity in temples with Mangala Vaidyams (auspicious instruments like Nadaswaram and Melam). They questioned whether such sacred traditions could be altered.
4. Pioneers of Surgical Practices: The leaders took pride in their ancestral mastery of shaving with surgical blades, calling themselves 'descendants of Dhanvantari' (the deity of medicine), and questioned whether other communities could truly understand or replicate their skill with such reverence.
5. Economic and Cultural Threat: The community alleged a coordinated attempt to displace them by enabling people from other castes and even religions to open "modern salons" and importing workers from other states, which threatens the livelihood of local, impoverished Nayi Brahmin families.
6. Lack of Alternatives and Economic Backwardness: Many in the community, they said, lack access to quality education and healthcare due to insufficient income, and despite willingness, cannot switch professions. They described a grim reality of being stuck in a dying livelihood.
7. Neglect in Governance and Politics: They pointed out the lack of political representation and unfulfilled promises from previous governments—no permanent temple jobs, no minimum wages, no financial support—leaving the community both economically and politically powerless.
8. Warning to Authorities: In a stern message, the leaders warned that if others encroach upon their traditional occupation, the Nayi Brahmin community nationwide would unite to organize mass protests and demonstrations. They cautioned the authorities not to test their patience, hinting at a rise in community assertion and rights mobilization.
> 'So far, you've seen our patience. In the coming days, you'll witness our courage and unity,' said Seva Sangham President Shekhar Pandey, joined by District Publicity Secretary Somashekar.
The press meet reveals a deep sense of betrayal and cultural erosion felt by the Nayi Brahmin community. Their emotional appeals underscore a larger question that India is grappling with — how to balance tradition and social mobility.
While the High Court's ruling aims at breaking caste-based occupational boundaries and promoting equality, communities like the Nayi Brahmins feel excluded from development and abandoned economically after dedicating generations to a single caste-based profession.
This issue highlights:
The tensions between social justice and heritage preservation.
The urgent need for economic rehabilitation, skill development, and representation for backward communities if traditional occupations are opened up.
A rising sense of identity politics among small, often-overlooked caste groups.
Unless addressed with sensitivity and inclusive policymaking, such verdicts, even if constitutionally sound, may deepen social unrest.
The Nayi Brahmin Seva Sangham's message is loud and clear: they seek respect for their legacy, protection of their livelihood, and a dignified place in modern India. They are not just protesting a legal ruling—they are demanding recognition, rehabilitation, and representation.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
AP HC seeks Guntur court order copy in plea challenging withdrawal of case against Pawan Kalyan
VIJAYAWADA: The High Court on Friday directed petitioners to submit a certified copy of the Guntur court order that permitted the withdrawal of a defamation case against Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Justice Dr Y Lakshmana Rao adjourned the hearing for two weeks. The case stems from Pawan Kalyan's remarks during the 2023 Vaarahi Yatra in Eluru, where he alleged that a large number of girls were going missing due to the involvement of volunteers. The then YSRCP government instructed the Public Prosecutor to file a criminal case against Pawan Kalyan in the Guntur court. After the coalition government took office, the Public Prosecutor moved to withdraw the case. On November 18, 2024, the Guntur court allowed the withdrawal. Challenging the withdrawal, a volunteer named K Sarala and another woman filed a criminal revision petition in the High Court. During hearing, the High Court directed the petitioners to produce a certified copy of the Guntur court's withdrawal order before the revision petition could proceed.


New Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
BJP leader writes to CM, highlights dismal state of Chandni Chowk area
NEW DELHI: Highlighting the extremely poor administrative conditions of the Chandni Chowk Assembly, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor has requested CM Rekha Gupta to conduct an administrative inspection of the Old Delhi area. The BJP spokesperson has alleged that all the MLAs and councillors in Old Delhi belong to the Aam Aadmi Party and that they neither did any work while in power nor are focusing on development now. Kapoor, in a letter to the CM, stated that area MP Praveen Khandelwal has conducted four inspections over the past year, but officials from the police, PWD, DJB, and MCD have not taken any action. He said that the Chandni Chowk beautification project has completely failed — the market has become a jungle of illegal encroachments, unmanaged parking, filth, and rickshaws. Roads and footpaths are broken across areas like Cycle Market, Diwan Hall Road, Bhagirath Palace, Main Chandni Chowk, Church Mission Road, Khari Baoli, Lahori Gate Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, and Sitaram Bazaar. Around Town Hall, illegal parking is being operated through the collusion of some corrupt police and municipal officials — with illegal daily collections amounting to lakhs of rupees. Along Chandni Chowk's main road, unlicensed food stalls are openly being operated by Muslims — who are opening shops under Hindu or neutral names. 'I request you to kindly make a visit to assess the poor conditions of this area and the neighboring constituencies of Ballimaran, Sadar Bazar, and Matia Mahal, and issue appropriate directives for necessary corrective action,' Kapoor added in his letter. For the CM's review, Praveen has stated that in the entire constituency stretching from Majnu Ka Tila to Delhi Gate and from Azad Market to Kisan Ghat, the Delhi Jal Board has only one Junior Engineer (JE), two mates (laborers), no Assistant Engineer (AE), and no Executive Engineer (EE). This one JE has also recently been assigned as the nodal officer at the CM's office, so he now only works half-days in the constituency. In the Sadar area of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, there is no regular Deputy Commissioner — Additional Commissioner Leeladhar is only skilled in blocking work. He has also added that whatever little work gets done is purely due to the grace of the Commissioner. In Chandni Chowk Ward No. 74, the JE from the Maintenance Department who was sincerely working has been transferred due to the insistence of a corrupt senior officer at headquarters. The new JE, Kailash Yadav, does not report to duty for four days a week. Public Works Department (PWD) officers are tired of appealing to their seniors — no one listens. Despite a ban, vehicles — especially scooters — are freely plying in Chandni Chowk, but the Delhi Traffic Police is nowhere to be seen.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Impeachment motion for Justice Yashwant Verma to be raised in Lok Sabha: Kiren Rijiju
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the motion to remove Justice Yashwant Verma, who remains in trouble after burnt wads of cash were recovered from his residence following a fire incident, will be moved in Lok Sabha first, as per the rules. On July 21, Members of Parliament submitted a memorandum to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to remove High Court Justice Yashwant Varma in connection with the cash discovery row.(PTI) He said that the removal of Justice Verma should be a joint decision. "The motion for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma will be raised in the Lok Sabha, and then subsequently, it will be concurred by the Rajya Sabha. All political parties have agreed that the removal of Justice Yashwant Verma has to be a joint call," Rijiju told reporters here. He emphasised that initiating the impeachment process of Justice Verma was a collective responsibility of the Parliament, not just the government alone. "We have been making efforts in relation to the matter of Justice Yashwant Verma. We have clearly stated that it is not only the government's efforts, but the entire Parliament is responsible for addressing the issue of corruption in the judiciary and removing judges from the Supreme Court or High Court. We should not be divided on this issue," the Union Minister said. The centre is working to form a committee to probe allegations levelled against Justice Yashwant Verma, government sources said on July 23. This comes after Rijiju stated that signatures of over 100 MPs have been collected for the impeachment process against Justice Verma, who is currently under scrutiny following the discovery of burnt cash at his residence. "The signature (collection) is underway, and it has crossed 100 already," Rijiju said while responding to a question about the status of the requisite signatures of MPs for the impeachment exercise against Justice Verma. When asked about whether the Parliament will take up the issue in this monsoon session scheduled to start on July 21, the Union Minister said, "In the Justice Varma case, the process will be undertaken together by all parties. This is not the move by the government alone." "I can't comment on any business in terms of priority until and unless the matter is passed by the BAC (Business Advisory Committee) with the approval of the chair. It is difficult to make an announcement outside," he added. On July 21, Members of Parliament submitted a memorandum to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to remove High Court Justice Yashwant Varma in connection with the cash discovery row. A total of 145 Lok Sabha members signed the impeachment motion against Justice Varma under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the from various parties, including the Congress, TDP, JDU, JDS, Jan Sena Party, AGP, SS (Shinde), LJSP, SKP, and CPM, signed the memorandum. Notable signatories include MPs Anurag Singh Thakur, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, PP Chaudhary, Supriya Sule, KC Venugopal, and others. Earlier, the sources had informed about the formation of a committee that is likely to include a judge of the Supreme Court, a chief justice from any of the High Courts and a distinguished jurist. The notices for the removal of Justice Varma were given on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament.