Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Criticizes Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks on Sikhs and Reservations
Gaya (Bihar) [India], September 15: Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi criticized Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his recent comments on reservations and Sikhs during his visit to the US. Manjhi condemned Gandhi’s remarks, stating, “No patriot will do this.” He added, “He (Rahul Gandhi) goes abroad and says things about India which should not be said. He should speak in the Parliament. No patriot will do this. About Rahul Gandhi, I can say that he is doing the work of a traitor.”
Earlier, BJP MLA Hardeep Singh Dang also criticized Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Sikh community in the US, urging him to apologize. Dang said, “It is very painful and condemnable that whenever Rahul Gandhi goes abroad, he returns insulting India. Rahul Gandhi’s remark on the Sikh community is very painful. I believe there is respect for the Sikh community across the globe but if he speaks such things then it is shameful.”
During his interaction with the Indian diaspora in the US, Rahul Gandhi said, “First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That’s what the fight is about, and not just for him, for all religions.”
When asked about reservations during his conversation at Georgetown University, Gandhi said that Dalits, Adivasis, and OBC communities are still not getting participation in the system, adding that India is not a ‘fair place.’ He stated, “If you look at the Indian government, there are 70 bureaucrats who run the Indian government, secretaries to the government of India. These are the people who make almost all the financial decisions…Out of 70 people, there is one tribal, three Dalits, three OBCs and a minority. 90 per cent of India in the government of India has access to less than 10 per cent of the positions that determine how money is going to be spent. When you look at the financial numbers, then Tribals get 10 paise out of Rs 100, Dalits get Rs 5 out of Rs 100, and OBCs get a similar amount.”
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 in various government roles, including as the Chief Minister of Bihar.
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is an Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He is the son of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Sikhs -: Sikhs are followers of Sikhism, a religion that originated in Punjab, India. They often wear turbans and visit places of worship called Gurdwaras.
Reservations -: Reservations in India refer to a system where a certain percentage of seats in government jobs and educational institutions are set aside for people from underprivileged communities like Dalits, Adivasis, and OBCs.
BJP MLA -: BJP MLA stands for Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Legislative Assembly. An MLA is a representative elected by the people to the state government.
Hardeep Singh Dang -: Hardeep Singh Dang is a politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India.
Dalits -: Dalits are people who belong to the lowest caste in the traditional Indian caste system. They have historically faced discrimination and social exclusion.
Adivasis -: Adivasis are indigenous people in India who have their own distinct cultures and traditions. They are often marginalized and live in remote areas.
OBCs -: OBCs stands for Other Backward Classes. These are communities in India that are socially and educationally disadvantaged.
Gurdwaras -: Gurdwaras are places of worship for Sikhs. They are open to people of all faiths and offer free meals to visitors.
