Outrage over Haryana SSC’s choice of bad omens

What’s a bad omen in Haryana? If the question has stumped you, the answer would leave you shocked.

According to the Haryana Staff Selection Commission website, “sight of a Brahmin girl” is not a bad omen, but “meeting with a black Brahmin” may be a potential risk. This absurd suggestion, given as an answer to a multiple-choice question asked in a recent HSSC examination, has stirred a controversy with several Brahmin organisations and the Opposition accusing the State government of “blind orthodoxy” and “rank sexism”.

‘Black Brahmins’

The question in the written examination for the post of Junior Engineer (Civil) held on April 10 sought to know from the candidates what is not considered a bad omen in Haryana, the other options being “empty pitcher” and “a casket full of fuel”. The HSSC’s correct answer key — published on its website — was “sight of a Brahmin girl”, which effectively meant that encountering a dark-complexioned Brahmin was a bad omen, along with the empty pitcher and fuel casket.

Brahmins in different parts of Haryana staged protests on Friday. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala took a dig too, tweeting: “… Latest pearl of wisdom of Khattar Govt & SSC in shape of question asked in J.E exam is derogatory & demeaning to the hilt … Reflects the BJP mindset (sic).”

Later, the HSSC put out a public notice on its website on Saturday expressing regret and withdrawing the question. “The matter has been brought to the notice of the chief examiner and he has felt regret about the same. However, still action is being initiated against him,” read the notice issued by HSSC Controller of Examination.