>BrownHairedGirl at 09:04, 11 April 2021

2021-04-11T09:04:23Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox organization
|name=Kerala Brahmana Sabha|established=1970|type=Caste based organization||headquarters =[[Thiruvananthapuram]]|location=[[Kerala]], [[India]]}}

'''Kerala Brahmana Sabha''' (KBS) is a registered charitable organization which works for the progress of [[Kerala Iyers]], one of the sects of [[Tamils|Tamil]] [[Brahmin]]s settled in [[Kerala]].

The KBS is one of the influential community organizations in Kerala politics.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/rss-election-strategy-yields-results-for-bjp/article7860177.ece|title=RSS election strategy yields results for BJP|last=Nair|first=N.J.|date=9 December 2015|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-04-03|language=en}}</ref> It is yet to contest elections directly but functions as a [[pressure group]] and works towards greater political representation of Kerala Iyers in governance.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.haindavakeralam.com/brahmin-federation-threatens-hk19540|title=Brahmin federation threatens to form political party|last=Mahadev|date=5 February 2006|website=Haindava Keralam|access-date=31 March 2017}}</ref>

== Organisation structure and membership ==

The Kerala Brahmana Sabha is organized geographically in three tiers (State, District and local levels). <ref>{{Cite book|title=Kerala Brahmana Sabha Bye-Laws.|last=|first=|publisher=Kerala Brahmana Sabha|year=2009|isbn=|edition=Revised|location=Thiruvananthapuram|pages=13-15}}</ref>

=== Upasabha ===
The grass – root level unit of KBS is known as "Upasabha". All Tamil Brahmins living in the geographic locality of an Upasabha are eligible to become its members. The highest decision making body of the Upasabha is its General Body which consists of all the members of that Upasabha. The activities of Upasabha is managed by an Upasabha Executive Committee (EC) elected by the respective Upasabha General Body.

The Upasabha Executive Committee consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Joint Secretary, a Treasurer and minimum 5 members. The term of office-bearers and EC Members is two-years.

=== KBS District Committee ===
The next level on the organization structure of KBS is the District General Body and District Executive Committees. At present there are 14 district GB and EC in KBS across Kerala. The General Body of the district consist of (i) President and Secretary of all Upasabhas in that District (ii) Elected district representatives of Upasabhas, (iii) Life Members of KBS in that district and (iv) Patrons of KBS in that district.

The District Executive Committee is elected by the respective District General Body. The Executive Committee of district consist of a President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary, two Organising Secretaries, two Joint Secretaries, a Treasurer and maximum 15 members. The term of office-bearers and Members is two-years.

=== KBS Zone ===
The districts are grouped under three zones for more co-ordination of activities. They are South Zone, Central Zone and North Zone.
{| class="wikitable"
!Zone
!Districts
|-
|South
|Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha
|-
|Central
|Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur
|-
|North
|Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wyanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
|}

=== KBS State Committee ===
The apex decision making body of the organization is KBS State General Body. The State General Body consist of (i) President and Secretary of all districts committees (ii) Elected state representatives of all Upasabhas (iii) Life Members of KBS and (iv) Patrons of KBS. KBS State General Body will elect a KBS State Executive Committee.

The KBS State Executive Committee consist of (i) a State President (ii) 15 members out of which the President shall nominate (a) a General Secretary, (b) two Joint Secretaries, and (c) a Treasurer, (iii) 3 Vice Presidents elected one each by the Zonal Committees (iv) 3 Joint Secretaries elected one each by the three Zonal Committees, (v) President and Secretary of all districts committees, and (vi) Immediate Past President and General Secretary will be Ex-Officio members. The term of office-bearers and EC Members is two-years.

KBS also has a women's wing and a youth wing.

=== KBS Vanitha Vibhagom ===
The Kerala Brahmana Sabha Vanitha Vibagam (KBSVV) was formally established in 1990 through a two-page guideline adopted by the Kerala Brahmana Sabha. It started functioning from the same year. During 2006-07 its activities were further streamlined. KBSVV is actively involved in organising the Tamil Brahmin women in Kerala through its various events and programmes. The Vanitha Vibagom takes active interest in providing skill building programmes for the Tamil Brahmin women so that they can become self-reliant. It also works closely with KBS and Yuvajana Vibagom in all programmes and events.

The organization structure of KBS Vanitha Vibagom is similar to the KBS with General Body and Executive Committees at Upasabha, District and State level. The term of office-bearers and EC Members is two-years.

=== KBS Yuvajana Vibhagom ===
The Kerala Brahmana Sabha Yuvajana Vibagam (Yuva) was formally established in 2010. It acts as a platform of the Tamil Brahmin youth in Kerala to come together and work for the development of the community. Its objective is to provide all facilities to the Tamil Brahmin youth to improve their skills and faculties to become model citizens. Its conducts different programmes aimed at skill development and educational improvement of the community especially the Tamil Brahmin youth. It also acts as a grooming place for the youth to sharpen their leadership skills and organisational abilities. <ref>{{Cite book|title=KBS Yuvajana Vibagom - Operating Guidelines|last=Mony|first=G|last2=Parameswaran|first2=N R|last3=Ramanathan|first3=H|last4=Ramakrishnan|first4=Lata|publisher=Kerala Brahmana Sabha|year=2010|isbn=|location=|pages=3-4}}</ref>

The organization structure of KBS Yuvajana Vibagom is similar to the KBS with General Body and Executive Committees at Upasabha, District and State level. The term of office-bearers and EC Members is two-years.

== Affiliation ==
The KBS is affiliated to the [[All Kerala Brahmin Federation]], which is affiliated to the All India Brahmin Federation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://aibf.in/?q=taxonomy/term/9|title=All India Brahmin Federation|website=All India Brahmin Federation|access-date=31 March 2017}}</ref>

== Activities ==
KBS is actively involved in organizing the annual [[Kalpathi Ratholsavam]] in Palakkad.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/kalpathy-festival-begins/article7860097.ece|title=Kalpathy festival begins|date=9 November 2015|work=The Hindu|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Kalpathy-chariot-to-undergo-makeover/article14431769.ece|title=Kalpathy chariot to undergo makeover|date=18 October 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref> It also organizes trade fairs and food festivals to popularise the Kerala Iyer cuisine among the general public.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/onam-trade-fair-draws-crowds/article2420629.ece|title=Onam Trade fair draws crowds|date=3 September 2011|work=The Hindu|access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/tv/ReadMore/13380/eating-out-food-festival-thiruvananthapuram/E|title=ഈറ്റിംഗ് ഔട്ട്: തിരുവനന്തപുരം ഭക്ഷ്യമേള|last=Krishna|first=Jithin|date=1 February 2015|website=www.mathrubhumi.com|language=en|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref> It organizes seminars on social issues,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CP03p-LiDCAC&pg=PA357&dq=%22Kerala+Brahmana+Sabha%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjcu5jQgIXTAhXCNI8KHaFOCkkQ6AEIIzAC#v=onepage&q=%22Kerala%20Brahmana%20Sabha%22&f=false|title=V.R. Krishna Iyer: A Living Legend (reprint)|last=Swamy|first=Krishna|date=2004-01-01|publisher=Universal Law Publishing|year=|isbn=9788175341586|location=New Delhi|pages=357|language=en}}</ref> and sports and games events<ref>{{cite news|title=വിപ്രവിസ്മയം|url=http://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/malayalam/kerala+kaumudi-epaper-kaumudi/vipravismayam-newsid-57810363|work=Kerala Kaumudi DailyHunt|publisher=Kerala Kaumudi|date=12 September 2016|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Back to roots|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/Back-to-roots/article15720199.ece|work=The Hindu|publisher=The Hindu|date=29 November 2010|language=en}}</ref> for its members.

The KBS runs institutions for the poor among the community. Its Sankara Santhi Nilayam at Kalady provides accommodation, food, and medical care, for aged and destitute Kerala Iyers.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J-8DAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Kerala+Brahmana+Sabha%22&dq=%22Kerala+Brahmana+Sabha%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjF07Gw64jTAhXBLo8KHejTCDoQ6AEILTAE|title=Bhavan's Journal|last=|first=|date=1984-01-01|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.|year=|isbn=|location=Mumbai|pages=36|language=en}}</ref> The Sabha also provides housing and financial help for the maintenance and renovation of [[Agraharam|agrahara]], especially the dilapidated dwelling places of the poor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/relief-for-residents-of-agraharams/article8291490.ece|title=Relief for residents of agraharams|last=Correspondent|first=Special|date=28 February 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-04-03|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/aug/12/Agraharams-await-govt-push-to-recapture-glory-days-1508370.html|title=Agraharams await govt push to recapture glory days|last=Kumar|first=Dileep V|date=12 August 2016|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref>

In 2014, the KBS courted controversy when it opposed faith conversions and re-conversions, and announced that it would not welcome reconverts to its fold.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hindu-leaders-divided-over-entry-of-reconverts/article6716813.ece|title=Hindu leaders divided over entry of re-converts|last=Sudhi|first=K. S.|date=23 December 2014|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-04-03|language=en}}</ref>

In 2015, during protests over [[reservation in India]], KBS demanded minority status<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-tamil-brahmins-want-hardik-patel-to-join-their-fight-for-minority-quota/|title=Kerala: Tamil Brahmins want Hardik Patel to join their fight for minority quota|last=Philip|first=Shaju|date=24 September 2015|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=31 March 2017}}</ref> and reservation<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/haryanas-jats-to-keralas-brahmins-why-reservation-pleas-are-being-heard-all-over-india/articleshow/49432264.cms|title=Haryana's Jats to Kerala's Brahmins: Why reservation pleas are being heard all over India|last=Seetharaman|first=G|date=18 October 2015|work=The Economic Times|access-date=31 March 2017}}</ref> for economically backward Kerala Iyers.

In 2016, the KBS favoured continuance of the dress code for women entering the [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple|Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple]] in Thiruvananthapuram.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/QhcTApFEWEYx0XjmS90MIK/Women-wearing-churidars-blocked-from-entering-Sree-Padmanabh.html|title=Women wearing churidars blocked from entering Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple|last=Nidheesh|first=M K|date=2016-11-30|work=Live Mint|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2016/dec/01/relaxed-dress-code-order-for-sree-padmanabha-swamy-temple-shelved-after-protest-1544375.html|title=Relaxed dress code order for Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple shelved after protest|date=1 December 2016|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref> It opposed allowing women wearing salwar kameez or churidar, and without draping dhoti, to enter the temple.

In 2017, the KBS favoured the continuance of the custom prohibiting women between 10 and 50 years of age from entering the [[Sabarimala|Sabarimala Temple]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.catchnews.com/life-society-news/sabarimala-who-needs-a-change-in-mindset-temple-or-docile-devotees-1452791932.html|title=#Sabarimala: who needs a change in mindset, temple or docile devotees?|last=Mohan|first=Shriya|date=14 February 2017|work=CatchNews.com|access-date=2017-04-03}}</ref> The KBS also demanded that the Government of India should seriously consider providing reservation based on economic status of its citizens and the political parties cannot avoid the long standing demands of Brahmin community that composes of 6% of the population. <ref>{{Cite news|url=http://digitalpaper.mathrubhumi.com/1292371/Palakkad/JULY-23,-2017#page/2|title=കേന്ദ്രസർക്കാർ സാമ്പത്തിക സംവരണം പരിഗണിക്കണം - ബ്രാഹ്മണസഭ|work=Mathrubhumi|access-date=2017-07-23}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Non-profit organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Kerala]]
[[Category:Religious organisations based in India]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1970]]

Kerala Brahmana Sabha - Revision history

>BrownHairedGirl at 09:04, 11 April 2021