Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader Sanjay Kumar Jha has emphasized that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was instrumental in ensuring the completion of the caste census in the state. His remarks came in response to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav’s call for a nationwide caste census and the inclusion of a 65% reservation quota increase in Bihar under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
“CM Nitish Kumar ensured that the caste census took place in Bihar. He took all necessary affirmative actions regarding this. The opposition, when they were in power, did not even provide reservation in Panchayats,” Jha stated, countering the RJD’s criticisms.
The RJD organized a statewide one-day sit-in protest, demanding a nationwide caste census and the inclusion of the increased quota in the Ninth Schedule. The protest, led by Tejashwi Yadav, saw large gatherings across various districts, with visuals from Patna showing significant participation from party workers and officials.
During the protest, Yadav challenged the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], questioning their stance on including the increased reservation under the Ninth Schedule. “I just have a question for the JD(U) – whether they want the reservation increased by the Mahagathbandhan government to be included in the Ninth Schedule (of the Constitution) or not?” Yadav asked.
Speaking at the rally, Yadav accused the BJP of harboring a regressive mentality, saying, “BJP wants the son of a garbage collector to clean drains for his entire life… They want beggars to remain beggars. This is the BJP’s mentality.” He argued that caste census is essential to address societal disparities, stating, “Poverty is our enemy, and we should work to remove it.”
The protests are part of RJD’s broader campaign to address issues of caste-based inequality and to push for greater representation and rights for marginalized communities in Bihar and across India.
