- Friday, February 28, 2025
Many social media users expressed disappointment over the diplomat’s act, calling it casteist.
By: Shubham Ghosh
NETIZENS REACTED after India’s external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Sunday (11) had breakfast at the residence of a Dalit (lowest stratum of India’s caste structure) in Varanasi in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh where the three-day G20 development ministers’ conclave was held.
The diplomat, who visited the house of Sujata Dhusia, a Dalit leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said after the breakfast, “The breakfast was delicious. From today onwards, we are having G20 programs in Varanasi; there will be discussions on food security, grains, fertilisers & millet.”
Prior to Jaishankar’s visit, Sujata said her entire family had been making preparations for the top guest’s visit since Saturday (10).
“We have made Kachori, aaloo paneer ki sabzi. We will make him drink water from a kulhad. We are happy that an important person is coming to our house,” she was quoted as saying by Asian News International.
Sujata’s uncle Munna Lal Dhusia said: “We are poor people. We are very happy that a minister is coming to our house. We will welcome him with all we have. We have one sukhaa sabzi, one paneer sabzi, poori, kheer. We have made all preparations and are waiting for him. Our entire family is happy.”
However, the social media was abuzz with the Brahmin minister’s visit with many calling it a photo op.
“Modi’s Brahmin Foreign Minister having breakfast at a local Dalit BJP leader’s house for a photo op. The Brahmin minister can’t even eat from a Dalit’s utensils, so paper plates, cups and plastic spoons are being used. Why do they continue to humiliate Dalits?” said professor Ashok Swain.
Why do people still consider it a significant and celebrated event when an Brahmin eats at a Dalit's home in the 21st century, ? If Jaishankar, eats at their home, is it just a photo opportunity? Is he trying to convey that he has provided great service to them?
— ✋Hemant. .Dis'Qualified (@hemant_1110_) June 11, 2023
“S. Jaishankar eats at Dalit’s home, gets photoshoot done, Nothing but a Castiest Act,” tweeted Bahujan Lives Matter, a social media platform that works on raising awareness about the struggle of marginalised communities.
S. Jaishankar eats at Dalit's home, gets photoshoot done, Nothing but a Castiest Act pic.twitter.com/5FJioQpHfm
— Bahujan Lives Matter (@BahujanLives) June 11, 2023
Calling Jaishankar Modi’s ‘reel minister’, one user Mayank Saxena tweeted, “Modi’s Reel minister S.Jaishankar had breakfast in a local BJP Dalit leaders house; in disposable plates using plastic spoons.
BJP can never accept Dalits; the party has always shown fake sympathy to use Dalits for vote bank …..!!”
Modi’s Reel minister S.Jaishankar had breakfast in a local BJP Dalit leaders house; in disposable plates using plastic spoons.
BJP can never accept Dalits; the party has always shown fake sympathy to use Dalits for vote bank …..!! pic.twitter.com/0mX06W6Q2k
— Mayank Saxena (@mayank_sxn) June 11, 2023
Some other tweets said:
The best part is bamans have to sit on the floor while having food at dalit basti because dalits don’t have any fancy round dining table. Jaishankar looking confused and uncomfortable in every picture. pic.twitter.com/8Bj9kMNyxV
— Harsh (@_ambedkarite) June 11, 2023
So opposite of this statement is, Everyday EAM Jaishankar eats everything at Manuvadi's residence….
But no news…
He eats at Dalit it shows how they follow castism….24 election preparation…. https://t.co/7dZohP3iq7
— *The_Happiest* (@plutotrainings1) June 11, 2023
Isn't this a humiliation of the entire Dalit community? Why is it still a thing to eat at a Dalit home, why shouldn't it be normal? It shows deeply ingrained casteism.
S Jaishankar should invite Dalits to his house for dinner and use his kitchen and utensils the next time. ++ pic.twitter.com/5MkPgLzo87
— Darab Farooqui (@darab_farooqui) June 11, 2023
During his visit to Varanasi, Jaishankar also attended the Ganga Arti in the holy city with many other G20 delegates and also held separate talks with the development ministers from Germany and Australia.
