Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Questions Tejashwi Yadav on Caste Census
Patna (Bihar), September 1: Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has raised a question to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav regarding the demand for a nationwide caste census. Manjhi asked why Tejashwi’s parents did not conduct the census during their 15-year rule in Bihar.
Manjhi said, “Our question is that when his parents ruled Bihar for 15 years, why did they forget this at that time, or when he (Tejashwi Yadav) himself was the Deputy Chief Minister when he said that so many teachers have been recruited, did he forget it at that time? And today, when he is out of power, then he is remembering it.”
Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav advocated for the nationwide caste census and the inclusion of the 65 percent quota increase in Bihar in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. The RJD held a state-wide one-day sit-in protest demanding these changes. Tejashwi participated in the protest from the party office on Beerchand Patel Path.
Tejashwi criticized the BJP, saying, “BJP wants the son of a garbage collector and the next generation to clean drains his entire life… Those who are beggars should be kept as beggars all their lives. This is the mentality of the BJP… All the big socialist leaders, from time to time, talked about caste. The great men who were our leaders, all talked about reservation and talked about those sections that are at the bottom of society, whether Dalit, tribal, or backward.”
He added, “Even today, you will see that discrimination happens in society… Today, when we talk of the caste census, people say that we are trying to divide society… It should be found out what is the condition of people from different castes… Poverty is our enemy and we should work to remove it.”
Tejashwi also questioned the Janata Dal (United) on their stance regarding the caste census. He asked, “I just have a question for the JD(U) – whether they want reservation that was increased by the Mahagathbandhan government to be included in the 9th Schedule (of Constitution) or not?”
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a member of the central government in India who is in charge of a specific department or ministry, like education or health.
Jitan Ram Manjhi -: Jitan Ram Manjhi is an Indian politician who has served as the Chief Minister of Bihar and is currently a Union Minister.
Tejashwi Yadav -: Tejashwi Yadav is an Indian politician and the son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, a former Chief Minister of Bihar. He is a leader in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party.
Caste Census -: A caste census is a survey that collects data on the different castes in a population. In India, caste is a traditional social hierarchy.
RJD -: RJD stands for Rashtriya Janata Dal, a political party in India mainly based in the state of Bihar.
15-year rule in Bihar -: This refers to the period when Tejashwi Yadav’s parents, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, were in power in the state of Bihar.
65% quota increase -: This means increasing the reservation or special seats for certain groups of people, like those from lower castes, in jobs and education to 65%.
Ninth Schedule of the Constitution -: The Ninth Schedule is a part of the Indian Constitution that protects certain laws from being challenged in court.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India.
Janata Dal (United) -: Janata Dal (United) is another political party in India, mainly active in Bihar.