Patna, August 30: Tensions are escalating within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the issues of creamy layer and sub-quota in Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations. Chirag Paswan, the national president of the Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas) and a central minister, has sharply criticized fellow minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, demanding his resignation from the ministerial position.
Chirag also urged Manjhi’s son, Santosh Kumar Suman, who is a minister in the Bihar government, to step down. Speaking to reporters in Patna on Saturday, Chirag emphasized that all communities within the Scheduled Castes must unite to maintain their strength. He warned that any division within reservations would harm the entire Scheduled Caste community. The Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas) is firmly against the introduction of sub-quotas in SC reservations. Chirag described the concept of a creamy layer in SC reservations as contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.
He pointed out that reservations for Scheduled Castes were established to combat social discrimination and untouchability. The Constitution does not state that SC reservations should be based on economic criteria. Chirag challenged Manjhi, stating that if he supports the idea of a creamy layer or classification within reservations, he should first resign from the central cabinet. He also called for Santosh Kumar Suman to resign from his ministerial position in the Bihar government, suggesting that this issue should be discussed in the legislative assembly. He insisted that any significant changes to the Constitution or decisions related to reservations should be debated in Parliament.
In response, Jitan Ram Manjhi countered Chirag’s statements, indicating that he prefers not to elaborate on the matter at this time. He plans to address the issue in detail during an upcoming rally in Motihari. Manjhi noted that decades have passed since the Constitution was enacted, yet many Scheduled Castes remain marginalized. He claimed that there are approximately 22 Scheduled Castes in Bihar, and aside from a few, the others have not received the benefits they deserve. He referenced a Supreme Court ruling from 2024 that allowed states to classify within Scheduled Castes.
Manjhi mentioned that some states, including Punjab, have already taken steps toward classification based on this ruling. He clarified that his aim is not to abolish reservations but to ensure that communities deprived of benefits receive their fair share. He stressed that classification is essential to uplift socially, educationally, and politically backward groups.
Manjhi also stated that this issue has been raised before the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He called for the center to issue clear guidelines for the states. In his rebuttal to Chirag, Manjhi suggested that it is Chirag who should resign, as he does not understand Santosh Kumar’s perspective. He reiterated that classification within Scheduled Castes is necessary for the greater public interest, and his party will continue to fight for this demand.
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