Manoj Jha criticized Bihar and Centre over quota, caste census; says 16% rights usurped.
Patna, June 9, 2025: The Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD) Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha on Monday launched a fierce attack on the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government and the Narendra Modi-led central government, accusing them of denying constitutional rights to Dalits, backward classes, and tribal by failing to act seriously on the 65% reservation system and the caste census.
Addressing the media persons, Manoj Jha said that Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav had written a letter to the Chief Minister on June 4, demanding a special session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly to extend the reservation limit and legally secure it.
However, the state government has not even acknowledged the letter so far.
“This has become a trend in Bihar important letters on issues of public interest are ignored. It clearly shows the government’s lack of seriousness on reservation,” said Jha.
He further alleged that the current reservation framework in Bihar usurps 16% of rights that should have gone to marginalized communities and that the government’s dishonest intentions are aimed at depriving backward, Dalit, and tribal communities of their entitlements.
Manoj Jha accuses center of sabotaging caste census:
Manoj Jha also accused the central government of trying to derail the caste census process.
“After the tragic Pahalgam incident, the PM hurriedly announced a caste census to pacify public anger. But BJP’s conduct remains anti-Bahujan and anti-reservation,” Jha said.
He questioned why the population figures of OBCs were not being released, even though Article 340 of the Constitution requires such data for policy implementation.
“If castes are counted but numbers are not disclosed, what policy will you make? How will there be reservations in the private sector? What will NITI Aayog plan without actual data? He asked.
He emphasized that RJD, Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK and other opposition parties are united in their demand for releasing caste census data, which is vital for expanding the reservation system and ensuring economic and social justice.
RJD leaders speak out: Bunch of thoughts politics blocking justice:
RJD’s National Vice President Uday Narayan Chaudhary described the ongoing caste census as a “hoax” with no real intent behind it.
“These people get scared just by hearing the word ‘caste census’.They follow the ideology of Bunch Thoughts and Manusmriti, and will never allow rights to reach Dalits and backward communities,” he alleged.
Chaudhary said that although Bihar conducted a caste survey under Tejashwi Yadav’s pressure, the benefits are being withheld due to BJP and Nitish Kumar’s political motives.
Meanwhile, RJD state Chief Spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav targeted Union Minister Chirag Paswan asking why he is silent despite the alleged” theft of 16% reservation.”
“Chirag Paswan, who coined the slogan ‘Bihar First, Bihari First,’ must answer why he is silent when Dalits, tribal, and backward classes are being denied their rights. Is this justice?” he asked.
EOM.