Bureaucracy
Uproar Over Alleged Casteist Remarks by Gujarat Collector; Dalit Leaders Demand Immediate Action
A major controversy has emerged in Gujarat’s Mahisagar district after District Collector Neha Kumari Dubey allegedly made caste-based remarks in front of a Dalit law student. In a now-viral video, Collector Dubey reportedly claimed that 90 percent of atrocity cases are tools of “blackmail” and that many women file false cases under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. Additionally, she is said to have made remarks about lawyers, allegedly using language suggesting that they deserve a severe reprimand, which has sparked widespread outrage on social media and in political circles, particularly among Dalit communities.
Demands for Action from Dalit Leaders and Politicians
Congress leader and MLA Jignesh Mevani labeled the collector’s comments as derogatory to Dalit and Adivasi communities. Mevani took to Twitter to demand her suspension and an investigation, urging the Gujarat government to act if it does not endorse her views. He also called for her to be charged under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Similarly, Gujarat SC Congress President Hitendra Pitharia went to the local police station to file an FIR against Dubey. In a conversation with ‘The Mooknayak,’ Pitharia expressed his concerns that such remarks reflect a casteist mindset among those in power, and he called for strict action against her to set an example.
Background of the Incident
According to Vijay Parmar, the Dalit law student at the center of the issue, he visited the collector’s office with a complaint, where he claims Dubey dismissed 90 percent of atrocity cases as mere blackmail tactics. Parmar believes her remarks reveal a deep-seated caste bias and disdain toward Dalits.
Data Highlights a Rise in Atrocities Against Dalits
The controversy has revived discussions around rising crimes against Dalits, citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics. In 2022, 57,582 cases of atrocities against Dalits were reported nationwide, a 13.1% increase from the previous year. Gujarat alone saw 1,425 cases, with Ahmedabad registering the highest number. The types of cases included murders, sexual assault, and severe physical harm. Critics argue that labeling these cases as “blackmail” contradicts the NCRB’s data and trivializes the genuine suffering faced by Dalit communities.
Political Pressure Mounts
Opposition parties, including Congress, have joined the call for the collector’s suspension and a formal investigation. They argue that if senior officials harbor discriminatory views, expecting justice for marginalized communities at lower levels becomes increasingly unrealistic. Many are demanding action under Section 3(1)(R) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In response, Neha Kumari Dubey has denied the allegations, stating that the accusations are unfounded. The district administration has also issued a press release to clarify its stance.
Growing Social Anger
Social organizations are voicing concerns about the apparent lack of sensitivity among some officials toward Dalit issues. Many see the incident as indicative of a broader need for administrative reform, emphasizing that true social justice and equality demand a change not just in laws, but also in the mindsets of those entrusted to uphold them.