New Delhi: A fresh political dispute has erupted within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the issue of reservation, with Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi taking sharply different positions on changes to the existing SC/ST quota system.
The disagreement has intensified after Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) backed a review of the reservation framework and called for sub-categorisation within Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe quotas so that the benefits reach the most disadvantaged communities.
What Is Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Stand?
Manjhi’s party has argued that reservation benefits have not been distributed equally among all SC communities. HAM(S) president and Bihar minister Santosh Kumar Suman, Manjhi’s son, has supported sub-categorisation of SC/ST quotas.
The party’s argument is that relatively more disadvantaged communities should receive a greater share of reservation benefits. HAM(S) has specifically highlighted the under-representation of communities such as Musahars and has called for a review based on factors including education, government employment and representation in senior positions.
The demand is linked to the Supreme Court’s August 2024 judgment, which held that states can sub-classify SC/ST communities for providing reservation benefits to more backward groups within these categories.
Chirag Paswan Opposes Sub-Categorisation
Chirag Paswan, president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has strongly opposed both SC/ST sub-categorisation and the introduction of a creamy layer.
Paswan argues that reservation for SCs and STs was created primarily to address historical social discrimination and untouchability, rather than differences in economic status. He has therefore rejected the idea of determining reservation eligibility primarily on economic grounds.
Paswan has also maintained that reservation is a constitutional right, not charity, and has previously said that his party would oppose even a review of the reservation system. He has advocated placing reservation-related laws under the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule to protect them from judicial scrutiny.
Chirag Seeks Manjhi’s Resignation
The disagreement escalated on Saturday when Chirag Paswan called for the resignation of Jitan Ram Manjhi and his son Santosh Suman over their position on the reservation issue.
Paswan questioned how an economic criterion such as a creamy layer could be incorporated into a reservation system that, in his view, exists to address social discrimination. He also argued that introducing such changes could weaken the unity of SC communities.
The exchange marks a significant escalation because both Paswan and Manjhi are members of the Union government and their parties are allies of the BJP-led NDA.
Why the Reservation Debate Matters in Bihar
The dispute has particular significance in Bihar, where caste and social justice issues remain major political factors.
The two leaders also represent different sections of Dalit politics. Paswan’s LJP(RV) has a significant political base among Paswans, while Manjhi’s HAM(S) has sought to highlight the concerns of extremely marginalised Dalit communities, including the Musahar community.
With Bihar’s political landscape increasingly focused on caste representation and reservation, the disagreement could have implications for the NDA’s efforts to maintain unity among its Dalit allies.
BJP Maintains Focus on Social Justice
The BJP has so far adopted a cautious position on the disagreement. Party spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan said reservation should continue as long as social discrimination exists and described it as a constitutional instrument of social justice.
He also indicated that the Supreme Court’s sub-categorisation judgment should be considered on the basis of empirical data and constitutional principles.
A Bigger Debate Within the NDA
The Chirag Paswan-Jitan Ram Manjhi dispute highlights a broader debate over the future of India’s reservation system.
While the Manjhi camp argues that “quota within quota” could ensure that the most marginalised communities receive a fairer share of benefits, Chirag Paswan believes that dividing SC/ST communities or introducing economic criteria could undermine the original social-justice purpose of reservation.
The public confrontation between two NDA allies is therefore more than a disagreement between individual leaders. It reflects competing approaches to Dalit representation, social justice and affirmative action, making reservation an increasingly sensitive political issue ahead of the next electoral battles.
