Patna: Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, during a press conference at his residence in Patna, criticised the Narendra Modi- government’s response to a question raised by Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha in the Rajya Sabha regarding the inclusion of the 65% reservation system in Bihar in the Ninth Schedule. Tejashwi accused the Central Government of evasion and alleged that the “double engine government” was failing to act decisively on this issue.
Tejashwi stated that the response from the Centre, suggesting the matter was for the state government to address, was misleading. He pointed out that the authority to include the reservation system in the Ninth Schedule lies with the Central Government, not the state. He noted that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP leaders have remained silent on the issue, implying a lack of commitment to the cause.
Tejashwi demanded clarity from the Janata Dal (United), a key ally in the NDA government, on their stance regarding the reservation system. He argued that the NDA government does not want to enshrine the 65% reservation system in the Ninth Schedule, thus denying rights to backward classes, Dalits, and tribals. He recalled that when the Mahagathbandhan government established the 65% reservation, JD(U) leaders were supportive, yet now their silence is telling.
Tejashwi also highlighted the Centre’s refusal to grant special state status to Bihar. He accused the Central Government of undermining the rights of marginalized communities by avoiding the issue of the reservation system. He affirmed that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) would take the matter to the Supreme Court and protest against the Central and State Governments’ policies from legislative forums to the streets.
The Deputy Chief Minister called on the Chief Minister to clarify his position on conducting a nationwide caste census. He questioned why development projects initiated during the Mahagathbandhan government, which included job creation and granting government employee status to contract workers, had stalled after the coalition’s dissolution.
Tejashwi criticized the NDA for not conducting a caste census in Bihar despite being in power for 17 years. He accused the NDA of prioritizing power over public welfare and failing to deliver on promises made to Bihar, such as the special package announced in the budget.
In response to a question about the Supreme Court’s decision on Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Tejashwi reiterated that the RJD has always opposed the classification of these communities. He referenced Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s vision for the reservation system to combat social discrimination and inequality. Tejashwi argued that if the Central Government is committed to justice for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, it should create job opportunities for them.
Tejashwi also highlighted ongoing discrimination against Dalits, citing incidents in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as examples. He urged the Central Government to address these issues through an ordinance, similar to the one enacted for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Prevention Act.
