Jaipur: Fire ignited by tribal minister’s statement refuses to die down

The protests against tribal minister Nandlal Meena intensified further on Tuesday as several organisations burnt his effigies demanding his removal from the state government. The minister is in line of fire for making a controversial statement in which he blamed the Brahmin and Baniya communities for “suppressing” the Meena community.

Akhil Bharatiya Vaishya Mahasammelan staged state-wide protest against the minister and burnt his effigies. The organisation held a protest at Badi Chaupar demanding an apology from Meena. The organisation has urged chief minister Raje to remove Meena from her Cabinet.

“If Meena does not apologise or resign, then we will start protests,” said Arun Agarwal, organisation’s national secretary. A similar protest was organised by Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha too. Its state president Pundit Suresh Mishra has threatened a massive protest in retaliation to the allegation by the minister.

“Our organisation will respond to Meena’s statement which is conspiracy to defame Brahmin and Baniya communities. The minister should immediately seek apology from both the communities,” Mishra said.

Notably, the minister had made the controversial statement in Karauli during the government at your doorstep campaign in the Bharatpur region. In his statement, the minister has said that though Meenas were also royals during the Riyasat period in India but they are now included under the tribals today following lack of education.