Madhya Pradesh minister apologises for comments about upper caste women

In a video, Sahu said he has always respected women and was apologising for his statement that had hurt the sentiments of a group

Published on: Nov 29, 2021, 10:15:25 IST

By Shruti Tomar

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Madhya Pradesh minister Bisahulal Sahu apologised on Sunday over his comments that upper-caste women should work like those from the lower strata of society following a warning from chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the remarks.

Madhya Pradesh minister Bisahulal Sahu was asked to apologise for his comments on upper caste women by MP chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. (ANI Photo)

Rajput and other upper caste organisations protested against the comments made on Thursday. “The women from lower strata of society in the villages work in the fields and also do household chores. But the big people like Thakur and Thakar keep their women confined to homes and do not let them go out. They should pull them out from their houses because both men and women should work equally,” said Sahu, a tribal, on Thursday.

Chouhan on Sunday said he called Sahu and he has publicly apologised for his statement. “Whatever the sentiment, the message should not go wrong. Every word should be spoken carefully. I have warned all the ministers and MLAs (members of legislative assembly) that such statements should not be given under any circumstances.” He added anything that sends a wrong message to the people will not be forgiven whoever the person may be. He added respect for women is paramount.

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In a video, Sahu said he has always respected women. “My statement hurt their sentiments so I want to apologise. My intention was not to hurt anyone.”

On Saturday, Rajput groups Karni Sena and Kshatriya Mahasabha protested across the state. Karni Sena members also showed black flags to Sahu at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party office.

Chouhan in 2018 faced an upper-caste backlash when he said nobody can dare to take reservation away amid rallies against quotas in the promotion and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shruti Tomar
I have spent over a decade chronicling Madhya Pradesh’s political and social landscape, covering politics, investigative journalism, crime, human interest, and government policy, blending sharp insight with ground‑level depth. I have closely tracked three assembly elections, three Lok Sabha elections, leadership transitions in MP while exposing governance lapses, tender irregularities, and flawed policy rollouts. My reports have revealed gaps in the Cheetah project, irregularities in medical education, rigging in recruitment exams, and loopholes in policy implementation. In crime reporting, I have moved beyond FIRs to map systemic patterns — from organised crime networks and gender‑based violence to custodial accountability — balancing urgency with sensitivity. My journalism is defined by a commitment to human interest. I have profiled the marginalised Bancchda community, documented atrocities against tribal groups, and highlighted efforts to preserve their culture through heritage liquor and revival of spiritual practices. I have reported on farmers struggling with failed MSP promises, giving voice to those often reduced to statistics in policy files. Passionate about field reporting, I have reported on rampant sand mining in Chambal and Narmada, pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines under altered names, the dire condition of schools and colleges, the plight of commercial sex workers, and skewed sex ratios in specific districts. Beyond deadlines, and as HT’s state correspondent and assistant editor in Madhya Pradesh, I engage with ministers, farmers, students, and activists, believing the best policy stories begin with a single human voice. A postgraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, I also hold a diploma in sports journalism.Read More

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