‘Brahmin only’ cricket tournament to be played in Hyderabad; shows casteism is still real in modern India

Cricket in India is deemed as a religion and it’s being followed across the country. However, in a bizarre development, a tournament was being organised where the organisers only wanted players from their caste. In Hyderabad, a tournament by the name of Brahmin Cricket Tournament took place and the matches were held at the BSR Grounds, Bandlaguda, Nagole.

In one of the posters, the players were also asked to carry their proof of identity. “Every player should carry their ID proof compulsorily and no other caste players are allowed,” the posters read.

The poster also shows the dates as December 25 and 26 respectively, which means that the matches took place on Christmas and Boxing Day. Going by a report in News18, the tournament took place after it was authorised by the local elected bodies.

Brahmin Cricket Tournament was placed with COVID-19 restrictions

The COVID-19 restrictions were also followed and precautionary measures were in place. If reports are to be believed, one of the receivers of the phone numbers listed on the poster mentioned that the proceeds went to a ‘local private NGO’.

Back in 1950, Independent India’s Constitution banned discrimination, based on caste in an attempt to correct historical injustices and provide equal opportunities. The authorities also announced quotas in government jobs and educational institutions for scheduled castes and tribes.

Though casteism has been abolished institutionally, it’s still prevalent in society. It’s still one of the biggest factors in matrimonial advertisements, besides one’s skin complexion. Even as the England cricket team have players from different caste and ethnicity, the Brahmin Cricket Tournament went in the other direction.

In fact, the tournament takes place every year and this year wasn’t any exception by any stretch of the imagination. The poster of the tournament went viral on the social media platforms on December 27.

In the meantime, the netizens aren’t happy with the tournament by any means. They lashed out at the authorities for organising a tournament, which promotes casteism. The ardent cricket followers didn’t leave any stone unturned in expressing their displeasure.

Here’s how the netizens reacted on the tournament-

Am I surprised? No! I grew up in this city so I know how all pervasive and regressive the Brahmin elitism is (my own extended family practises modern forms of untouchability).

But how are we letting this divisive mentality foster, @KTRTRS and @GHMCOnline? https://t.co/fS2T0YI7hw

— Lasya Nadimpally (@nlasya) December 27, 2020

Exclusive cricket tournament for brahmins. Imagine this, but with education that’s at least a 1,000 years of subcontinental history right there. https://t.co/xYkKwxrJXR

— Raj Shekhar || রাজ শেখর (@DiscourseDancer) December 27, 2020

"Brahmin cricket tournament"
"No other caste players are allowed"
Sure…tell me caste isn't a problem today.
I guess this is the first time I've seen it articulated openly but this is every cricket tournament no? (Also every company, every decision making body no?) https://t.co/Q56ObZs67c

— Dr. Aarti Shyamsunder (@Aartideetoo) December 28, 2020

The Brahmin Cricket Tournament will be won by the Team which can give the most Potent Shraap. Ideally, the winning prize should be the entire team collecting Bhiksha from the spectators and blessing them pic.twitter.com/yqHChUT4OM

— Joy (@Joydas) December 28, 2020