Rift in allies stance over 'Quota in Reservation'? What Chirag and Jitan Ram are saying

A rift has emerged in the NDA regarding the Supreme Court's decision on the quota within the reservation. LJP (Ram Vilas) President Chirag Paswan has questioned the decision, while Hindustani Awam Morcha patron Jitan Ram Manjhi has welcomed it, calling Chirag Paswan selfish.

Manjhi pointed out that marginalized castes like Bhuiyan, Musahar, Dom, and Mehatar have low representation in positions such as IAS, IPS, and engineering roles, arguing that the benefits of reservation have been monopolized by a few castes for 76 years.

Chirag Paswan objected to the quota within the reservation, arguing that it undermines the original intent of addressing discrimination against Dalits, who were historically denied basic rights like temple entry and riding horses. In contrast, Jitan Ram Manjhi supported the Supreme Court's decision, emphasizing the need to uplift those who are still lagging.

He stated that the decision should have been made a decade ago and highlighted that reservation should prioritize those at the bottom, as envisioned by Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

Manjhi noted that the literacy rate among Scheduled Castes is only 30 percent, with some castes having even lower rates of 7-8 percent. He argued that efforts should focus on these underrepresented groups. Reacting to Chirag Paswan's stance, Manjhi dismissed it as selfish.