Manjhi Defends SC/ST Reservation Amid RJD's Criticism of BJP

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi emphasized the respect given to Scheduled Castes in the BJP-led NDA government, while RJD's Tejashwi Yadav criticized BJP's stance on SC/ST reservations, labeling them anti-Dalit. The Supreme Court permits sub-classification within SC/ST reservations.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi asserted on Monday that despite belonging to one of the lowest castes in Bihar, he has been appointed to the cabinet, indicating respect for Scheduled Castes in the BJP-led NDA government. Addressing reporters about reservation issues, Manjhi pondered on the rhetoric around the removal of reservations, questioning where such claims originated. He stressed that reservations are widely discussed and that he, along with Nitish Kumar, could take up the matter within the cabinet if necessary.

Earlier, on August 14, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav targeted the Centre over reservations, challenging the BJP to introduce an ordinance against the Supreme Court's order on the creamy layer in SC/ST reservations. Yadav accused the BJP of scrapping 65 per cent reservation and 10 per cent EWS, demanding it be placed in Schedule 9. Calling the BJP the 'Badka Jhootha Party', he claimed the party sows confusion and hatred.

Yadav criticized the BJP for discussing the creamy layer issue, arguing that reservations, as instituted by Ambedkar, aim to integrate backward classes into the mainstream. He labeled the BJP as anti-Dalit and anti-reservation. Notably, the Supreme Court has clarified that states have the power to sub-classify SCs and STs, mandating that adequacy be calculated based on effective, not quantitative, representation.