Allegations of caste discrimination at Thar Mahotsav 2025: Contestant Rinku on Thar Sundari selection says, “People from our caste can’t come first, even if…”
According to Rinku, she was better than the winner, Nakshatri, but was denied justice because of her lower caste. This allegation quickly went viral on social media, where a video of Rinku’s emotional rant attracted thousands of people.
Published on: 09 Oct 2025, 3:14 pm
Barmer—The Thar Festival 2025 in the desert district of Barmer, Rajasthan, captivated tourists and locals with its grandeur. Held on October 8th and 9th, the two-day festival featured folk dances, processions, camel races, and cultural programs that colored the Thar sands. However, allegations of caste discrimination surrounding the selection of the Thar Sundari contest have cast a dark shadow over the festival’s brilliance.
Rinku, who placed second in the competition, has openly alleged that the winner, Nakshatri Chaudhary, was selected based on her caste, even though she herself deserved to be the winner on every merit scale. Recounting her four years of hard work, family warnings, and the reality of discrimination, Rinku said that next time, no girl will come prepared for such a competition.
Nakshatri, adorned with 35 tola gold jewellery, emerged as the winner.
At a ceremony held on October 8th, the title of Thar Sundari was awarded to 22-year-old Nakshatri Choudhary. Nakshatri is currently pursuing her BA in Mumbai. She explained that she had come to Barmer a few days earlier specifically to participate in the competition. She is also involved in social service as an NSS volunteer. She said that becoming Thar Sundari was an honor for her and that she would work for girls’ education and empowerment in the future. Nakshatri captured everyone’s attention by wearing jewelry worth approximately 52 lakh rupees in the competition. She took the stage in a traditional Rajasthani attire adorned with 35 tola gold jewelry, symbolizing the prosperity of the Thar. At the same ceremony, the title of Thar Shri was awarded to motor mechanic Dharmendra Singh Dabhi, whose magnificent mustache and beard brought the audience to applause.
However, controversy erupted immediately after the winner was announced. Rinku, who finished second, objected on stage, alleging caste discrimination in the selection process. According to Rinku, she was superior to winner Nakshatri on every merit scale, but was denied justice due to her lower caste. This allegation quickly went viral on social media, where a video of Rinku’s emotional appeal attracted thousands of people.
Exposing the roots of discrimination, Rinku said, “There is discrimination here and that is why girls do not participate, this time only 13 girls came.”
Rinku’s 4 years of hard work went in vain, family had warned her
In videos that went viral on social media and in local interviews, Rinku spoke openly about her ordeal. Dressed in traditional Rajasthani attire and laden with heavy jewellery, Rinku said, “I had the most jewellery, and she wasn’t wearing proper jewellery. Everyone said you’d come first, so how did she come first?” Referring to her four years of preparation, she said, “I’ve been preparing for this competition for four years. Two years ago, she didn’t have enough jewellery, so she couldn’t come. This time, she came fully prepared, confident, and everyone said she looked the best.” “Everyone said you were first, so how did she get first? She doesn’t even have enough jewellery. You should make her stand next to me and check.”
Exposing the roots of discrimination, Rinku said, “There’s discrimination here, and that’s why girls don’t participate. This time, only 13 girls came.” She also mentioned her family’s warnings: “My family had already told me not to go, saying, ‘Even if you get ready, no one will take you. If I go back home now, they won’t let me go anywhere. Even here, I’ve fought and fought. My family had told me not to come first because people from our caste can’t come first. No matter how much you try… it’s like that; only people from the upper caste come first, people from the lower caste can’t come first.”
In the video, Rinku’s voice clearly shows anger. She adds, “Next time, no girl will come here dressed up. I think everyone will protest. Who would waste time coming here?” Commenting on the selection of male winner Dharmendra Dabhi, Rinku said, “I don’t know how that happened, but that’s what happens to girls.”
Regarding Rinku’s caste, sources say that she belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC), while winner Nakshatri Chaudhary belongs to the Jat community, which falls under the Other Backward Class (OBC) in Rajasthan.
The controversy sparked a debate on social media. Posts on Facebook and Instagram read, “Casteism at the Thar Festival too? Shameful!” Some demanded an investigation by the district administration. MP Ummedaram Beniwal had previously accused the festival of being a waste of money, but he did not comment on the casteism issue.
