Patna: In a second rebuke within the week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, this time addressing the latter’s contentious remarks about Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi. This follows the Prime Minister’s earlier criticism on November 8, where he condemned CM Nitish’s controversial comments related to women and family planning.
During the debate in the Bihar legislative Assembly on Bihar Reservation (Amendment) Act on Thursday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar fumed over Manjhi and said that the latter became CM because of his “foolishness”.
On Saturday, addressing a public gathering in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, PM Modi resurrected the issue, asserting that leaders within the INDIA bloc, including Nitish, lacked respect for Dalits.
Modi said, “The umbrella of the INDI alliance, led by Congress, includes the Bihar Chief Minister, who is wielding the baton of casteism. The Bihar CM has insulted former Chief Minister and Dalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi on the floor of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha. Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has undergone significant struggles in his life, was badly humiliated in the Assembly as the Bihar Chief Minister declared the former incapable of becoming CM.”
The Prime Minister also delved into the relationship with late former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, recalling instances of disrespect. “I remember the Bihar Chief Minister had continuously disrespected my close friend and Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan. He was hesitant to extend support to Ram Vilas Paswan when the latter was to get a seat in the Rajya Sabha. I have always seen Ram Vilas’s son Chirag Paswan hurt about it,” PM Modi stated.
Highlighting a perceived pattern, PM Modi added, “The feeling of ego and insult of Dalits has been the identity of Congress and its allies.”
Jitan Ram Manjhi expressed gratitude to PM Modi for speaking in his support, stating, “Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Your love and affection have always given me strength. Your loyalty towards the Dalits/deprived is unique; may your love always remain for me and all the Dalits/deprived,” as posted by Manjhi on social media.
