Secularism, Redefined: In Rajasthan, Minister Makes History, Says She Will Serve Her Caste First, Society Later

The newly-formed Rajasthan government led by the Congress party has courted controversies already. From scrapping the minimum required qualification to contest elections, to reversing some of the crucial decisions taken by their opponents when in power, it seems a real game of one-upmanship already.

In latest developments, the newly-inducted minister for women and child development, Mamta Bhupesh, while addressing a gathering in Alwar, said her first priority as minister was to serve her caste and only then care about society.

ANI quoted Bhupesh as saying, “Pratham karya hamara hamari jaati ke liye, uske baad hamare samaj ke liye, uske baad sarv samaj ke liye, sab ke liye. Hamari mansha yeh rahegi ki hum sabke liye kaam kar paayein. (My first priority will be my caste, then society and then comes the rest. My intention is to work for everyone).”

Contradictory to what the Congress president believes in (eliminating the caste-system), the minister has reflected views quite opposing the general idea that the party proposes to present.