However, Minister of Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid said Joshi's remark was 'not casteist' and it was wrong to charge her under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

'The remark made by Joshi was not casteist and charging her under the Dalit Act can not be justified,' Khurshid said.

Joshi was arrested Wednesday night for derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Mayawati. Her home in Lucknow was set on fire by alleged Bahujan Samaj Party activists.

Joshi was sent to Moradabad jail Thursday morning on 14 days' judicial custody.