Patna: Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi kicked off the Dalit Samagam organized by Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) at Gandhi Maidan in Patna by demanding Bharat Ratna for Mountain Man Dashrath Manjhi. Addressing the gathering, Manjhi called for unity among Dalits to secure a stronger share in governance.
“Scheduled Castes and Tribes constitute over 30% of the country’s population, yet we all know who holds power,” Manjhi said. He emphasized Babasaheb Ambedkar’s teaching that unity is key to ensuring representation in governance, without which development is impossible.
Manjhi urged Dalits to stay united for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections to form a government sensitive to Dalit interests. He criticized the current fragmentation within the community, saying it has led to begging for rights instead of asserting them.
The Union Minister advocated for changes in the reservation process for Scheduled Castes. He proposed classification based on education levels within SC sub-castes for implementing reservations. “I have personally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a decision on this matter,” Manjhi stated.
Manjhi also demanded the formation of a Safai Karamchari Commission in Bihar, similar to those at the Centre and in other states. He called for increasing scholarships for Dalit students and making vocational education free for women in Bihar.
Addressing land issues, Manjhi urged the Bihar government to expedite the land survey process. He reminded that as Chief Minister, he had decided to provide 5 decimals of land to the landless, but currently only 3 decimals are being given in most places. “If land consolidation work is completed, landless people could get several acres,” he claimed.
The Dalit Samagam saw participation from various districts, with some attendees arriving on elephants, horses, and camels. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and other ministers were also present at the event.
Notably, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made a brief appearance at the Samagam, delivering a 15-second speech before departing. This has raised questions about the stability of the NDA alliance in Bihar.
The event comes just months before the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, with political parties ramping up their activities to consolidate support bases.
