The ongoing debate surrounding the Bihar caste census took a dramatic turn on Wednesday when Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi challenged the authenticity of the collected data. This dispute led to a fiery exchange of words between Manjhi and Bihar’s Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, who accused Manjhi of assuming the top position due to his own “foolishness.”
In a strong rebuttal, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his regret for having supported Jitan Ram Manjhi’s ascension to the chief ministerial role. He stated, “It was my mistake that I made him (Jitan Ram Manjhi) the chief minister; otherwise, he has no sense. He came running to me, but I told him to stay there (in the opposition). He became the CM because of my foolishness,” during a session in the state Assembly.
The intense exchange of words led to a commotion, with some of Kumar’s cabinet colleagues urging him to calm down by tugging at his kurta. Nitish Kumar, however, only sat down after the Speaker of the Assembly, Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, asserted that Manjhi had become the Chief Minister thanks to Kumar’s support and blessings.
Nitish Kumar further criticized Jitan Ram Manjhi’s political choices, claiming that Manjhi had always desired to remain in his company. Kumar mentioned that a year ago, when he parted ways with Manjhi, he had advised him to stay put, but Manjhi insisted on joining Kumar. Now, Manjhi aspires to become a governor, and Kumar appealed to BJP leaders, saying, “Please oblige him.”
Jitan Ram Manjhi, in response to the heated exchange, announced his intentions to file a formal complaint against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and demanded his dismissal from office. Manjhi emphasized, “I will complain against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to the governor and Union home minister. I will demand his dismissal and clamping of President’s Rule in the state. Only a couple of days ago, he had brought shame to the state through his remarks about women. His repeated misconduct shows he is no longer in a sound state of mind and cannot be entrusted to hold such an important post.”
The Bihar caste census controversy has been a subject of significant political discord, with differing perspectives on its accuracy and implications. Jitan Ram Manjhi’s assertion that the data is incorrect adds another layer to the ongoing debate. The clash between Manjhi and Nitish Kumar has not only escalated tensions but also sparked demands for the Chief Minister’s dismissal and the imposition of President’s Rule in the state. As this contentious issue unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will impact the political landscape in Bihar and the future of the caste census.
