Bhopal: The bureaucracy in Madhya Pradesh finds itself in the eye of a storm following back-to-back controversial statements by senior officers. Closely following the backlash against IAS Santosh Verma for his provocative comments regarding the Brahmin community, a new video featuring IAS Meenakshi Singh has gone viral, further fueling the debate on caste and social harmony.
= Asserting tribal identity and solidarity
Speaking at the AJAKS (Scheduled Caste/Tribe Officers & Employees Union) provincial convention—the same event where Santosh Verma made his remarks—Meenakshi Singh urged attendees to instill a strong sense of caste identity within their families. “We must tell our children that we are tribals and embrace our caste identity,” she stated, adding that being “caste-conscious” is a necessity in the current era to ensure community support and progress.
= Allegations of bias against the “Upper Caste”
The controversy intensified as Singh launched a direct critique of the “Upper Caste” (Savarna) society. She alleged that surnames often dictate professional and social treatment, leading to systemic bias. Claiming that a “casteist mindset” exists among others, she encouraged her community members to seek out and prioritize helping one another to counter this perceived favoritism.
This series of statements from high-ranking officials has sparked a heated public discourse across the state, raising critical questions about the conduct of civil servants and the deepening of social divisions within administrative circles.
