Lucknow, August 30: The conflict over the creamy layer and sub-quota issues within Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations is intensifying among the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition parties. Chirag Paswan, the national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and a central minister, has sharply reacted to statements made by Jitan Ram Manjhi, the head of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and another central minister, demanding his resignation. This has prompted responses from Congress leaders.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput stated, “Jitan Ram Manjhi has gone so far in pleasing the Bharatiya Janata Party that he no longer cares about the country, the Constitution, backward classes, or Dalits. If he does not care about Dalits, the Constitution, or reservations, he should be removed immediately. As for Chirag Paswan, if you stand with Dalits and the Constitution, leave the Bharatiya Janata Party. Otherwise, it will be assumed that you are merely pretending.”
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari added, “Who are Chirag Paswan and Manjhi? Both are cabinet ministers in the Modi government and heads of their respective parties. They are accusing each other over the reservation issue, which is against the Constitution. Perhaps they do not realize that the principle of collective responsibility applies to the council of ministers. Anything a minister says is considered the government’s stance unless contradicted.”
In a post on X, Chirag Paswan remarked, “The reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the Constitution is not merely a provision for opportunity; it is a safeguard for social justice against centuries of social discrimination, untouchability, and inequality.”
He further stated, “Thus, the demand for a ‘creamy layer’ or sub-categorization within SC/ST reservations undermines the core objective of social justice. Those who support this should first set a moral example by renouncing their own benefits from reservations. As long as discrimination and inequality exist in society, our fight to protect the rights, dignity, and self-respect of marginalized and oppressed communities will continue with full strength.”
Leave a Comment