Chirag Paswan ties Raksha Bandhan, firmly opposes reservation review
Synopsis
Chirag Paswan used Raksha Bandhan to draw a clear political line: reservation is non-negotiable. With NDA allies Jitan Ram Manjhi and Santosh Kumar Suman pushing for a review, Paswan's public pushback exposes a fault line inside the ruling coalition — one that could matter enormously as Bihar heads toward elections.
Key Takeaways
Chirag Paswan celebrated Raksha Bandhan on 28 August at his Patna residence, where sisters and LJP(R) MP Shambhavi Choudhary tied rakhis.
Paswan strongly opposed any review of India's reservation system, calling it a constitutional right, not charity .
He warned that calls for a review are, in his view, a step toward abolition of reservations.
NDA allies Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAM) and Santosh Kumar Suman have called for reservation review and SC sub-categorisation, exposing intra-alliance differences.
The debate follows the Supreme Court 's recent rulings giving states latitude on SC/ST sub-categorisation.
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas) national president Chirag Paswan on 28 August celebrated Raksha Bandhan at his Patna residence, where his sisters tied rakhis on him — and used the occasion to strongly reaffirm his opposition to any review of India's reservation system.
A Celebration Beyond Blood Ties
Among those who tied a rakhi to Chirag was Shambhavi Choudhary, the party's youngest Member of Parliament from Samastipur, who described their bond as one that transcends family ties. 'Some bonds transcend blood relations. There are bonds we forge ourselves, and my relationship with Chirag Bhaiya is one such bond. It will always remain unbreakable,' Choudhary said.
She added that she has been tying a rakhi to Chirag every year and expressed her wish that he achieves success both nationally and internationally. Paswan extended Raksha Bandhan greetings to brothers and sisters across India and around the world, and also expressed solidarity with those affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, noting that the festival is celebrated with enthusiasm in both countries.
Paswan's Firm Stand on Reservation
Speaking to the media during the event, Paswan came out strongly against any proposal to review the reservation framework. He argued that those calling for a review were, in his assessment, ultimately seeking to move towards its abolition. 'Reservation is a constitutional right, not charity,' he said, describing it as an essential instrument of social justice that enables marginalised communities to join the mainstream.
He warned that any attempt to alter the existing system could trigger widespread public opposition, and criticised advocates of changes to the reservation framework for undermining the principle of social justice enshrined in the Constitution.
Fault Lines Within the NDA
Paswan's remarks carry particular weight given the emerging divergence within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the reservation question. Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) president Jitan Ram Manjhi has called for a review of the reservation system and advocated sub-categorisation within the Scheduled Castes — effectively proposing a 'quota within a quota.' Bihar minister and HAM leader Santosh Kumar Suman has also spoken in favour of revisiting the system.
This puts Paswan in direct disagreement with two NDA partners, highlighting an increasingly open debate within the alliance over one of India's most politically sensitive policy areas.
Why This Matters
The reservation debate has intensified nationally following the Supreme Court's recent rulings on sub-categorisation within SC/ST quotas, which gave states greater latitude to create priority tiers within reserved categories. Paswan's categorical opposition signals that any move to restructure reservations — even within the NDA's own ranks — will face organised political resistance from Dalit-led parties that form a critical part of the ruling coalition's support base.
With Bihar assembly elections on the horizon, the stakes of this intra-alliance disagreement are unlikely to diminish.
Point of View
And the Supreme Court having now legitimised that route, the pressure on Dalit-led parties to either adapt or resist will only grow. Paswan's electoral base cannot afford ambiguity here, which is why his language was categorical. The harder question is whether the BJP will eventually back one side of this debate — and what that means for coalition arithmetic in Bihar.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chirag Paswan say about reservation on Raksha Bandhan?
Chirag Paswan strongly opposed any proposal to review India's reservation system, stating it is a constitutional right and not charity. He argued that those advocating a review are ultimately seeking its abolition, and warned that any such attempt could trigger widespread public opposition.
Who is Shambhavi Choudhary and what was her role at the event?
Shambhavi Choudhary is the Lok Janshakti Party (Ramvilas)'s youngest Member of Parliament, representing the Samastipur constituency. She tied a rakhi to Chirag Paswan at his Patna residence on 28 August, describing their bond as one that transcends blood relations.
Which NDA leaders have called for a reservation review?
Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) president Jitan Ram Manjhi has called for a review of the reservation system and advocated sub-categorisation within Scheduled Castes. Bihar minister and HAM leader Santosh Kumar Suman has also spoken in favour of revisiting the framework.
Why is the reservation debate significant within the NDA right now?
The debate has intensified following Supreme Court rulings that gave states greater latitude on SC/ST sub-categorisation. Paswan's public opposition to any review puts him at odds with two NDA partners, exposing a fault line in the ruling coalition ahead of Bihar assembly elections.
What is SC sub-categorisation and why is it controversial?
SC sub-categorisation refers to creating priority tiers within Scheduled Caste reservations — effectively a quota within a quota — to direct benefits toward the most disadvantaged sub-groups. Proponents like Manjhi argue it improves equity, while opponents like Paswan contend it divides and weakens the broader reservation framework.
