In an uncommon move, Madan Rathore, the president of the BJP in the state, has issued an apology in response to comments deemed casteist made by party leader and MLA Mahant Balaknath.
During a recent inspection of development projects in his Tijara constituency, Balaknath scolded officials regarding the alleged substandard construction of a road. It was during a conversation with a Junior Engineer overseeing the project that Balaknath reportedly made comments perceived as casteist.
The remarks quickly gained traction online, prompting a strong backlash from the Saini/Mali community, which called for a public apology from Balaknath. Vinod Karel, president of the Narayani Dham Mahasabha, stated, “Ninety percent of our community supports the BJP. However, the party leader has disrespected us. We are not asking for much, just our dignity.”
A group of community representatives, including Karel, met with Rathore at the BJP’s state office in Jaipur, where Rathore expressed his regret. “I conveyed to them that as the leader of this family, I apologize. I have also addressed the necessary points with the concerned leader. However, when representatives of the community come to me, it is my responsibility to apologize as the head of the family. Such remarks should not be directed towards any community,” Rathore explained.
Karel added, “If Balaknath fails to apologize, we will approach the Chief Minister.” Another community figure, Ramavtar, remarked, “We have consistently backed the BJP during both Vasundhara Raje’s and Bhajan Lal Sharma’s terms. Yet, we are facing humiliation now. Today it is him, tomorrow it could be another MLA.”
In a separate social media statement, Balaknath also extended an apology, clarifying that his intention was to give essential directions to the officials regarding their work and not to offend any caste or community. “If any of my remarks have unintentionally hurt the sentiments of the Saini community, I sincerely apologize. I hope the community will understand my intentions and continue to support me as they always have,” Balaknath stated.
Hamza Khan serves as a dedicated correspondent for The Indian Express, focusing on the politically vibrant state of Rajasthan. Based in Jaipur, he delivers authoritative reports on governance, legal matters, and social issues, embodying the publication’s commitment to courageous journalism.
