In the politics of Bihar, the war of words has intensified between the constituent parties of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the classification within the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC-ST) reservation. Differences on this issue have come to the fore between Union Minister Chirag Paswan's party Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's party Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM).
Resignation of Jitan Ram Manjhi and his son Santosh Kumar Suman was demanded by Chirag Paswan over the issue of creamy layer and classification. In response to this, Santosh Kumar Suman, Minister in Bihar Government and National President of 'Hum', has issued a detailed statement on the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter) and strongly attacked Chirag Paswan.
'First Chirag should resign, we are also ready'
Santosh Kumar Suman, while addressing Chirag Paswan, wrote that as far as resignation is concerned, he is completely ready for it. He sarcastically said that since his “younger brother” (Chirag) has a bigger party, he has more numerical strength of MLAs and MPs and he is a third generation leader politically, hence he should also take the initiative. He said that Chirag Paswan should first come forward by resigning himself, along with him the representatives of 'Hum' will also resign immediately.
Santosh Suman said that the public is being misled without understanding his statement properly. He clarified that in any of his statements or posts he has not talked about implementing creamy layer or ending anyone's reservation.
Difference between quota and creamy layer in quota
The 'Hum' president stressed that 'quota within quota' i.e. sub-categorization and creamy layer are two completely different subjects. It is not appropriate to create confusion by mixing one with the other. Their aim is not to snatch away anyone's rights, but to provide justice to the people standing at the back of the queue within the SC-ST community.
Referring to communities like Musahar, Bhuiyan, Halkhor, Nat and Dom, he said that even today these castes are extremely backward socially, educationally and economically. The irony is that they have to face social discrimination within their own class. Unless these classes, which have been left behind for 80 years, do not get the benefit of separate reservation, social justice will remain incomplete.
Demand for review on the lines of Mandal Commission
Talking about the apprehensions of the opposition and allies, Santosh Suman said that when the recommendations of the Mandal Commission were implemented, there were talks of disintegration in the society, but with time it only strengthened democracy. He demanded to rise above political rhetoric to see the real situation of Mahadalit settlements and review it on the basis of data.
At present, after the recent decision of the Supreme Court, there is a tussle regarding sub-categorization within Bihar NDA. On one hand, Chirag Paswan is strongly against it, while on the other hand, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Santosh Suman are calling it very important to provide benefits to the poorest section of the Dalits.