MP Minister Pratima Bagri rejects SC certificate fraud charge, cites 110-year-old records
Synopsis
A Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister is fighting to keep her seat after Congress alleged her Scheduled Caste certificate is fraudulent. Pratima Bagri has countered with 110-year-old records before a state scrutiny committee — and the panel's verdict could cost her both her Assembly membership and her ministerial post.
Key Takeaways
Pratima Bagri , Minister of State in Madhya Pradesh , appeared before the state's caste scrutiny committee on 7 July to contest allegations that her SC certificate is invalid.
Congress SC Department president Pradeep Ahirwar alleged she belongs to the Bagri Rajput community, which is not listed as a Scheduled Caste.
Bagri submitted documentary evidence including records more than 110 years old to support her claim of SC status.
Ahirwar has demanded cancellation of her certificate, Assembly disqualification , and removal from the state Cabinet.
The scrutiny committee is examining submissions from both sides; its verdict could determine Bagri's political future.
Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Pratima Bagri on Tuesday, 7 July firmly denied allegations that her Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate is fraudulent, asserting that documentary evidence — including records more than 110 years old — submitted before the state's high-level caste scrutiny committee fully validates her caste status. The dispute, triggered by a formal complaint from a senior Congress leader, has put the Raigaon constituency MLA and cabinet minister at the centre of a politically charged caste-credentials row.
The Allegation
Madhya Pradesh Congress SC Department president Pradeep Ahirwar alleged that Bagri does not belong to the SC category and that she obtained her SC certificate on the basis of incorrect information. Ahirwar claimed she belongs to the Bagri Rajput community, which he contended is not listed as a Scheduled Caste under applicable state or central notifications. He further alleged that Bagri contested the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly election from the reserved Raigaon constituency — and subsequently joined the state Cabinet — on the strength of a certificate he described as invalid. Ahirwar demanded the cancellation of her caste certificate, her disqualification from the Assembly, and her removal from the state Cabinet.
Bagri's Defence Before the Scrutiny Committee
Bagri appeared before the caste scrutiny committee on Monday, 7 July and recorded her statement, submitting a set of documentary evidence she said establishes the inclusion of the Bagri community in the SC list. She said the records she placed before the panel included historical documents spanning more than 110 years, and that after the committee examined the material, no member was able to identify any irregularity. 'My caste certificate is genuine,' she said, adding that the truth had now come out. Ahirwar also appeared before the same panel on the same day and submitted documents challenging her caste status, setting up a direct evidentiary contest before the committee.
Political Accusations Fly
Bagri did not limit herself to a legal defence. She accused Ahirwar of making false claims for political reasons, saying he had presented incorrect facts before the media. She reiterated that she comes from an SC family and that all official records support that position. The Congress leader has not publicly responded to her counter-accusations. This comes amid a broader pattern of caste-certificate disputes surfacing ahead of and after election cycles in Madhya Pradesh, where reserved constituencies carry significant political weight.
What Happens Next
The scrutiny committee is continuing to examine documents submitted by both sides and is expected to issue its findings after completing the inquiry. The committee's decision will be consequential: an adverse ruling could trigger proceedings for Bagri's disqualification from the Assembly and her removal from the Cabinet. Until the panel delivers its verdict, Bagri retains her ministerial position. The timeline for the committee's decision has not been officially announced.
Point of View
Especially in reserved constituencies where a single certificate determines electoral eligibility. What is notable here is the evidentiary bar being tested: 110-year-old records are an unusually deep genealogical claim, and the scrutiny committee's willingness to examine them signals the seriousness of the challenge. If the committee rules against Bagri, the BJP faces the uncomfortable prospect of a ministerial disqualification in a state it governs with a strong majority. If it rules in her favour, the Congress risks being seen as deploying caste-verification as a political weapon rather than a constitutional safeguard — a charge that cuts both ways in a state where SC voters are a decisive bloc.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations against Madhya Pradesh Minister Pratima Bagri?
Congress SC Department president Pradeep Ahirwar has alleged that Bagri does not belong to the Scheduled Caste category and obtained her SC certificate using incorrect information. He claims she belongs to the Bagri Rajput community, which is not listed as a Scheduled Caste, and that she used the allegedly invalid certificate to contest the 2023 Assembly election from the reserved Raigaon seat and later enter the state Cabinet.
What evidence has Pratima Bagri submitted to the scrutiny committee?
Bagri appeared before the state's high-level caste scrutiny committee on 7 July and submitted documentary evidence she says proves her SC status, including historical records more than 110 years old related to the inclusion of the Bagri community in the Scheduled Caste list. She has stated that after examining these records, the committee found no irregularity.
What could happen if the scrutiny committee rules against Bagri?
An adverse ruling by the caste scrutiny committee could lead to cancellation of Bagri's SC certificate, disqualification from the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, and removal from the state Cabinet. The Congress has formally demanded all three outcomes.
Has the scrutiny committee given its verdict yet?
No. As of 7 July, the committee is still examining documents submitted by both Bagri and Ahirwar. It is expected to announce its decision after completing the inquiry, though no official timeline has been given.
Why is the Raigaon constituency significant in this case?
Raigaon is a reserved constituency, meaning only candidates with a valid Scheduled Caste certificate are eligible to contest from it. If Bagri's SC certificate is found to be invalid, her election from that seat in 2023 could be declared void, making the certificate's authenticity a direct question of her Assembly membership.
