Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government has taken strict action against 2012 batch IAS officer of MP cadre, Mr Santosh Verma, issuing a show-cause notice and suspending him with immediate effect following derogatory remarks he made about Brahmin girls during a public event.
Show-Cause Notice and Suspension
The General Administration Department deemed Verma’s statement a violation of the Civil Services Conduct Rules. The show-cause notice demands that Verma respond within seven days. The suspension was announced late Wednesday night.
Verma, a 2014-batch MPPSC officer who became an IAS in 2021, currently served as Deputy Secretary in the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department. He also holds the post of President of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Officers and Employees Association (AJAKS).
The Controversial Statement
During a provincial convention at Ambedkar Maidan, Tulsi Nagar, Bhopal, on 23 November, Verma reportedly said,
“Reservation should continue until a Brahmin donates his daughter to my son.”
The video and audio of the statement quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage and protests from the Brahmin community across Madhya Pradesh.
Protests and Public Outrage
In Tikamgarh, the Brahmin community and Parashuram Sena organized rallies, demanding the registration of an FIR and his arrest. Advocate Saurabh Sharma, president of the Parashuram Sena Youth Organization, criticized Verma’s remarks, highlighting the contradiction between government slogans like “Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter” and the officer’s indecent comments.
Santosh Verma’s Controversial Past
This is not the first controversy surrounding Verma. He has previously faced multiple allegations, including:
- Jailed in 2021 for forging a CBI judge’s signature.
- Accusations of threatening a woman and spreading obscene material.
- Allegedly obtaining a promotion through forged court orders.
He has held several key positions in Madhya Pradesh government departments, including Farmer Welfare and Agricultural Development, and has a history of clashes with the public and other officials.
Government Response
The Madhya Pradesh government has acted swiftly to ensure accountability, stating that such conduct by an administrative officer is unacceptable in a civilized society. Verma has reportedly apologized for his remarks, but protests and calls for further legal action continue.
