In a bold and provocative statement from Thiruvananthapuram, senior Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar has unleashed a sharp critique against Brahmanism, Thakurism, and Hindutva, igniting fierce debates across India’s political landscape. Speaking exclusively to IANS on February 16, Aiyar, born into a Brahmin family, distanced himself from traditional practices that he believes distort the essence of Hinduism.
‘I was born a Brahmin, but no one forced me into it,’ Aiyar declared. ‘I don’t wear the sacred thread, nor have I performed sandhyavandanam since adulthood. Much of my childhood vacations were spent at Shivanananda Ashram, turning me into a critic of Hindu rituals, not Hindu philosophy.’
Aiyar positioned himself as a staunch opponent of Hindutva, describing it as ‘a perversion of Hinduism and a misuse of a great religion.’ He likened accusations of his Brahmanism to falsely labeling Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as a BJP affiliate—absurd and baseless.
Surprisingly, he found rare common ground with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on one issue: Delhi’s crippling air pollution. ‘That’s the only thing I agree with him 100% on,’ Aiyar said. ‘I live in Delhi, and it’s a miracle my lungs are still functioning. He’s right on this, but it’s the only right thing he’s said.’ With a touch of sarcasm, he quipped, ‘To survive in UP, you have to chant “Yogi-Yogi.”‘ He quickly clarified this was about weather, not politics.
On Thakurism, Aiyar expressed full support if it targets feudalism and landlordism. ‘If that’s what they mean—opposing zamindari and feudal powers—count me in. It might point to Bihar’s old systems. If my understanding is correct, I’ll shout it loud: Down with Brahmanism and Thakurism!’
Aiyar’s remarks have polarized opinions, with supporters hailing his candor on caste hierarchies and critics accusing him of anti-Hindu rhetoric. As elections loom, this outburst underscores deep fault lines within India’s secular fabric, challenging both Congress’s stance and the BJP’s Hindutva narrative. The debate rages on, with Aiyar’s words echoing far beyond Kerala’s shores.