Bihar News : Differences within the NDA have surfaced in Bihar over the review and sub-categorisation of reservations. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has called for classification within the reservation system, while Union Minister Chirag Paswan has opposed the move. After Chirag Paswan’s response, LJP (Ram Vilas) MP from Jamui, Arun Bharti, also targeted Manjhi with a series of questions.
Arun Bharti accused Jitan Ram Manjhi of attempting to divide the Dalit community. He questioned why Manjhi referred to Punjab while discussing reservation sub-categorisation but did not mention Bihar.
Questions Over Dalit-Mahadalit Classification in Bihar
Bharti said the classification of Dalit and Mahadalit communities in Bihar began in 2007. According to him, the Mahadalit category includes a large number of people from the Musahar and Bhuiyan communities.
He questioned what actual change has taken place in the condition of these communities after 19 years of the classification system. Bharti said Manjhi should answer this because he has previously served as Bihar’s Chief Minister.
Government Job Representation Under Question
Arun Bharti said the SC/ST Welfare Department remained with Jitan Ram Manjhi’s family for a long period. He questioned what improvements had been made in the condition of the communities during that period.
Bharti cited Bihar government figures and claimed that the Musahar and Bhuiyan communities account for only 0.3% of government jobs. He questioned why the situation remained the same despite Manjhi having served as Chief Minister and the SC/ST Welfare Department remaining with his family for around 10 years.
Bharti Questions Manjhi’s 90% Reservation Claim
Bharti also questioned Manjhi’s reported claim that 90% of the benefits of reservation go to only a few people.
He asked what the basis of the claim was and whether any survey or data supported it. According to Bharti, if such data exists, Manjhi should explain its basis.
Questions Over Political Representation
The LJP MP also raised questions about the political representation of the Musahar and Bhuiyan communities.
He asked how many people from these communities had been helped to become MPs or MLAs. Bharti said Manjhi is a minister and that his son, daughter-in-law and mother-in-law are MLAs, but questioned why people from the Musahar and Bhuiyan communities are not represented as MPs and MLAs.
Demand for Debate on Reservation Backlog
Bharti said that before discussing reservation sub-categorisation, there should also be a review of when reservation backlogs will be filled.
He called for discussion on the representation of Dalits among professors at IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, universities and other major institutions. He also questioned the representation of the community in the private sector, where reservation is currently not available.
Bharti further questioned the representation of Dalits in the judiciary, executive and universities and asked Jitan Ram Manjhi to respond.
According to Bharti, talking about sub-categorisation effectively raises the issue of dividing the reservation currently available to the Dalit community. He argued that dividing something makes it weaker.
