Bihar: Jitan Ram Manjhi Advocates for Dalit Solidarity at Samagam Rally
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Synopsis
At the Samagam rally in Bihar's Gandhi Maidan, Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi emphasized the importance of Dalit unity and representation ahead of the approaching 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, calling on the community to mobilize politically.
Key Takeaways
- Call for Dalit Unity: Manjhi urges Dalits to unite politically.
- Significant Population: Dalits make up 30% of Bihar's population.
- Political Impact: Collective voting can influence governance.
- Affirmative Action: Need for Dalit representation in government roles.
- Safai Karamchari Commission: Proposal to address issues of sanitation workers.
Patna, Feb 28 (NationPress) Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi made a compelling case for Dalit political unity during the Samagam rally held at Bihar’s Gandhi Maidan on Friday.
The gathering, which saw the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and various other NDA leaders, provided a platform for Manjhi to rally Dalit voters in anticipation of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
Referencing the teachings of Baba Saheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Manjhi stated, “Politics is the key, and development is the lock. If Dalits do not hold the key, they cannot open the lock and will continue to struggle.”
He emphasized the significant population of the Dalit community, claiming that with 30 percent of Bihar’s populace, they should have a more substantial influence over political authority.
“Our population stands at no less than 30 percent. But who wields the power? Ambedkar united us as Dalits, rather than dividing us into numerous castes. If your 30 percent population comes together, there will be no need to seek permissions from anyone. This is the purpose of the Samagam. With the Assembly elections on the horizon in 2025, I urge Dalits to unite and vote as one to impact governance and policymaking,” Manjhi expressed.
He called for the classification and reservation of the Dalit community in Bihar and advocated for differentiation among Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) based on educational and socio-economic factors.
“I have requested the Bihar government to assess Dalit representation in Class I and Class II officer roles. Currently, there are no Dalit officers. Therefore, I appeal to the Chief Minister for affirmative action,” Manjhi stated.
He also supported the establishment of a Safai Karamchari Commission in Bihar, similar to those in other states and at the central level, to tackle issues facing sanitation workers.
This speech comes amid rumors of discord between Manjhi’s party, Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS), and the BJP-JDU coalition following the loss of two significant ministries by his son, Santosh Kumar Suman, during a recent cabinet reshuffle.
With the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections nearing, Manjhi’s comments reflect a call for enhanced Dalit representation and political unity.
