Bureaucracy
IAS Officer’s Bizarre Remark Sparks Controversy: “Were You Born After Consulting the Government?”
JAIPUR: Could a senior officer truly make such a seemingly insensitive statement? Social media is abuzz with a video featuring Rajasthan’s senior IAS officer, Gayatri Rathore, allegedly making this remark. The 19-second video, rapidly circulating on multiple platforms, captures Rathore’s statement: “Were you born after consulting the government?” The authenticity of the video and its origin remain unverified, with the voice reportedly being Rathore’s, though NBTC hasn’t confirmed it.
The Incident
It’s reported that this video was recorded at the Health Building in Jaipur, where selected candidates for CHA, ANM, and pharmacist positions had gathered to voice their concerns. As these young unemployed candidates stood outside the Health Department premises, Principal Secretary Rathore was exiting her office. Initially, she paused to listen to their grievances but soon moved on. When the candidates continued their appeal, she reportedly turned back and made the controversial remark.
Background
Hailing from Udaipur, Gayatri Rathore is a senior IAS officer from the 1997 batch. Over the past three years, from September 2021 to September 2024, she held the position of Principal Secretary in the Tourism Department. About a month and a half ago, she was appointed to the Health Department, linking her directly to the concerns of the unemployed candidates who approached her. However, the response they received left many surprised and offended, igniting debates and criticism across social media.