Ajit Jogi is not a tribal, rules Chhattisgarh government panel; revokes his caste certificates

Ajit Jogi’s Scheduled Tribe status was challenged in Chhattisgarh high court, which had ordered the setting up of a committee to look into the matter

Updated on: Aug 27, 2019, 17:16:33 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi’s claim to tribal status has been rejected by a government-appointed committee, which also revoked all his caste certificates and withdrew all benefits that members of Scheduled Tribes are entitled to.

Ajit Jogi will lose his scheduled tribe status. (Sonu Mehta/HT file photo)

The high powered committee -- set up on the directions of High Court was headed by DD Singh, secretary of department of primitive caste -- concluded its probe on August 21. The committee has also directed the Bilaspur collector to take action under the provisions of Rule 23 (3) and 24 (1) of Chhattisgarh Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes (Regulation of Certification of Social Status) Rules, 2013.

At the same time, under the provisions of Rule 23 (5) of Rule 2013, police has been instructed to confiscate the certificates of Jogi.

However, Ajit Jogi’s son Amit Jogi claimed that committee has not followed any rules. “They have submitted blank papers to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh who has himself prepared the report. The committee has not followed the principal of justice. We will challenge the committee decision in the court. The CM is having political vendetta against my father and me,” said Amit Jogi.

In 2001, senior BJP leader and former Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribe Nand Kumar Sai and another Sant Kumar Netam had challenged Jogi’s tribal status in the high court.

The high court had said in its judgment that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes / Tribes did not have the right to determine, investigate on caste but Netam went to Supreme Court challenging the decision.

The Supreme Court had decided on October 13, 2011 that the government should resolve the caste case of Ajit Jogi by forming a high-powered committee.

Subsequently, six members of the committee on June 27 2017 revoked all caste certificates of Ajit Jogi. But the former CM went challenged this decision in High Court and on February 21 2018, High Court directed the state government again to reconstitute the committee under the chairmanship of DD Singh.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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