Govt Panel Says Ajit Jogi Is Not a Tribal, Putting His Marwahi Seat at Risk

A high-powered committee set up on the direction of the high court to examine the caste status of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has concluded in Raipur that he is not a tribal.

The committee’s findings

The panel has also cancelled Jogi’s caste certificates and asked the Deputy Superintendent of Police to take possession of them. It acted under the Chhattisgarh SC, ST and OBC (Regulation of Certification of Social Status) Act 2013.

Jogi, who leads the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh, left the Congress before the last assembly election and launched his own party. He is now the MLA from Marwahi, a seat reserved for tribals, so the cancellation of his certificate could lead to his disqualification from the assembly.

This is not the first such finding. In 2018, a separate committee under IAS officer Rina Baba Kangle had likewise ruled that Jogi was not a tribal.

Jogi’s response

Jogi attacked the Congress state government, saying he had not been given a chance to submit documents and evidence. He mocked the panel as the “Bhupesh Empowered Committee”.

He said he had joined the civil services in 1986 and that, over 43 years, the courts had ruled in his favour 6 times on the caste question. “After Bhuria committee and Raman Singh government, it’s Bhupesh Baghel’s turn to test me on this caste row,” he said.

Background

In the 2018 Chhattisgarh assembly election, the Congress won 68 seats, the BJP 15 and the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh 5. Bhupesh Baghel became Chief Minister.

See also: Indian National Congress and state assembly members.

Originally published on 27 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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