Congress Raises Concerns Over MP Minister's Caste Credentials
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Synopsis
The Congress party accuses MP minister Pratima Bagri of using a fraudulent caste certificate to claim SC status. Pradeep Ahirwar demands her resignation and threatens to escalate to the High Court if a fair investigation isn't conducted. Bagri defends her position, citing political history and openness to investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of fraudulent caste certificate against Pratima Bagri.
- Pradeep Ahirwar demands resignation and threatens legal action.
- Bagri defends her caste status due to political lineage.
- Historical classification of Bagri caste questioned.
- Concerns over benefits received from SC status.
Bhopal, March 25 (NationPress) The Congress party has raised allegations against Pratima Bagri, the Minister of State for Urban Administration and Development in Madhya Pradesh, accusing her of utilizing a fraudulent caste certificate to assert her Scheduled Caste (SC) status and obtain her ministerial role.
Pradeep Ahirwar, the head of the Scheduled Caste wing of Congress in Madhya Pradesh, claimed that Bagri is part of the Rajput-Thakur community, a general category, not eligible for SC status, and has demanded her resignation. He warned that if a transparent investigation is not conducted, the party will escalate the matter to the High Court.
In an interview with IANS, Pratima Bagri defended her position, citing her family's extensive political history and questioning the sudden challenge to her caste certificate.
She asserted the credibility of her documents and expressed willingness to undergo any investigation, but also indicated potential legal action if substantial evidence is not provided against her. Bagri represents the Raigaon Assembly seat in Satna district and won against Kalpana Verma of the Indian National Congress in the 2023 elections.
Ahirwar stated that Bagri's caste in regions like Bundelkhand, Mahakaushal, and Vindhya has traditionally been classified as Rajput-Thakur, excluding them from SC status as per government and legal rulings from 2003 and 2007. He accused Bagri and her family of using fabricated caste certificates to gain advantages in elections and government positions, which he described as breaches of constitutional and social justice.
Ahirwar further emphasized that members of the Bagri caste are generally affluent farmers and should not qualify for SC benefits. Official directives have restricted the issuance of SC certificates to the Rajput Bagri community in some areas, yet Bagri allegedly circumvented these regulations. In response, the minister pointed out that in 2008, Pushpendra Singh Bagri ran from the same seat on a Congress ticket, Gaya Prasad Bagri contested elections in 2013 on a Congress ticket, and Jugal Kishore Bagri also ran for elections multiple times.
Additionally, she mentioned that Shivdayal Bagri contested the 2018 elections on a Congress ticket from the Gunnaor seat in Panna. She questioned why her certificate is being scrutinized only now, asking if all these candidates had used false certificates.
