In response to the BJP’s virtual rally led by Amit Shah in Bihar on 7 June, the RJD would be launching a “Thali Bajao” campaign across the state, observing Mazdoor Adhikar Diwas. The RJD, which is targeting lakhs of migrant labourers in the state, would try to galvanise them to beat thalis and katoras to press for their “adhikar” (rights).
Earlier, the RJD had planned the same protest on 9 June, but when the BJP shifted its virtual rally to 7th, it quickly responded by changing their dates as well.
The Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav has been trying to rake up the issue of pathetic condition of migrant labourers and the growing unemployment in the state and as such decided to answer the BJP’s virtual rally with “Mazdoor Adhikar Diwas”.
Bhai Virendera, a senior RJD leader, talking to The Daily Guardian, said, “Lakhs of labourers returned to the state and are in pathetic condition. We are in touch with them and the lockdown sufferers. As a protest, all of us would be beating thali and katoras to teach both the BJP and the JD-U a lesson.”
Reacting sharply to the RJD programme, senior JD-U leader and minister in present government Neeraj Kumar said, “They should beat their chest in place of thali. Have they forgotten what they did to the state in 15 years of their rule? They are just trying to be copycat.”
The BJP, in turn, justified the virtual rally and said historic decisions have been taken by the government at the Centre and the nation is rapidly growing on the path to self-reliance. Senior BJP leader and minister in present government Vijay Sinha said: “While we are indulging in constructive politics, want a direct dialogue with the people, the RJD is into divisive politics. They want to save their family and secure the interest.”