Rajasthan: Opposition Takes Jibe—Is DyCM Premchand Bairwa Facing Discrimination Due to His Caste?

Jaipur- Allegations of caste-based discrimination against Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa have resurfaced, raising serious concerns about his treatment within the government.

The most recent incident occurred on September 5, during a Teachers' Day function in Jaipur, where all dignitaries on stage were formally felicitated—except for Bairwa, who was conspicuously ignored.

This snub follows earlier instances that have fuelled speculation about discrimination against Bairwa, who hails from a Dalit background. When he assumed office in December 2023, the absence of Chief Minister Bhajanlal and other high-ranking officials at his swearing-in ceremony became a subject of discussion.

On the other hand, when DyCM Diya Kumari assumed the office, many had attended the event. However, Bairwa had dismissed the social media posts at the time, labelling them as false news. He stated that certain individuals from the opposition were spreading these rumors, and instead of engaging in such tactics, they should focus on working together to make Rajasthan a developed state.

Later on, Bairwa had on one occasion, expressed his frustration over his inability to address issues related to road development, citing that no one in the administration was willing to listen to him.

The latest incident at the Teachers' Day function has prompted the Leader of Opposition, Tika Ram Jully, to openly criticize the government.

In a social media post, Jully questioned whether the repeated instances of neglect towards Bairwa were due to his Dalit identity. He pointedly asked, "How can such behavior be tolerated in the presence of the Chief Minister? Is this the way Dalits will continue to be treated under the BJP government?"

The ongoing allegations have intensified the debate over caste-based discrimination within the political arena, with opposition leaders calling for accountability and equal treatment for all members of the government, regardless of their social background.