An interesting conversation between Sajan Kumar and Abjeet Bharti around caste reservation where the issue of Brahmanism also came. It has been observed that casteism or perceived casteism is a factor of caste assertiveness rather than assumed domination of a caste group. The brahmin population in South or say Konkan Maharashtra is relative a lesser significant number as compared to brahmin population in North. Historically the brahmin population in Tamil Nadu has been in single digits with current numbers around 3 % and yet they are seen as tormentors. In North brahmins are in significant number with more than 10 % in Uttar Pradesh. But the UP brahmins were always "Dabang" or assertive with their clout seen in politics, religious movements and even in crime.
The Tamil brahmins always had two types - one being barrister brahmins and other being farmer brahmins. Many say that the hypothetical arrogance of the former (read the Egmore, Mylapore clique) may have had some impression of the local society at large to make the TamBrams look viler than other. In fact, the so-called rich barrister brahmins painted a picture of apologist for all unverified caste oppression and veered towards the left whereas lot of poor and marginally weaker brahmin community suffered and migrated to the North for jobs post the Progressive movement took shape. It is also interesting to note that one of the key figures of the anti-brahmin movement in south, "Periyar" fomented his brahmin hate after his experience in Kashi, the bastion of the "dabang" north Indian brahmins.
So, in essence it was easy to make the meek, non-assertive, non-confrontational but presumably arrogant "Tamil brahmin" the fall guy for all caste related problems in south particularly Tamil Nadu while the so called "Dabang" Brahmins of North who some level of cohesion could still wield some clout while facing the wrath of anti-cattiest forces.
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