KOCHI: A sitting judge of Kerala HC has stoked the debate on whether reservation should be on the basis of community or caste alone, suggesting that Brahmins being “twice-born” and blessed with “all good qualities rolled into one” needn’t necessarily preclude them from voicing concern over the absence of a quota system based on economic criteria.

In a viral video of his speech at the recent Tamil Brahmins’ Global Meet here, Justice

can be heard saying, “it’s time for you (Brahmins)” to question the basis of reservation. “Occupying a constitutional post, it may not be proper for me to express any opinion. I’m not expressing my opinion. I’m only reminding you that there is a platform for you to agitate or to voice your concerns about reservation.”

He adds, “There is 10% reservation for economically backward classes. But a son of a Brahmin cook, even if he falls within the non-creamy layer zone, will not get any reservation whereas a son of a timber merchant — who belongs to ‘other backward communities’ — will get a reservation if he’s within the non-creamy layer zone. It’s time for you to deliberate and put forward your views.” While arguing that Brahmins being denied any kind of reservation may be unfair, he didn’t hold back in describing the “qualities” that seemingly make a Brahmin first among equals.