Patna / New Delhi: A sharp political confrontation has surfaced within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar as two prominent Union Ministers engaged in a fierce public spat over Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservations. Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan (President, Lok Janshakti Party – Ram Vilas) and Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi (Patron, Hindustani Awam Morcha – Secular) traded sharp barbs and openly demanded each other's resignations over the proposed introduction of a creamy layer and sub-categorisation within SC quotas. For comprehensive political analysis, regional updates, and legislative coverage, explore our national politics and policy desk.

The Core Trigger: Mahadalit Representation & Sub-Quota Demands

The latest clash was triggered by statements from Bihar Cabinet Minister Santosh Kumar Suman (son of Jitan Ram Manjhi), who advocated for a structural overhaul of the existing affirmative action framework. Suman argued that dominant SC sub-castes continue to disproportionately secure the vast majority of reserved public sector jobs and admissions, leaving severely marginalized communities—such as the Musahars, who represent nearly 4% of Bihar's population—virtually unrepresented in top civil services including District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs).

Advocating for a quota-within-quota framework modeled along Bihar's Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) formula, the HAM-S leadership contended that affirmative action benefits must be systematically channeled to the most socio-economically vulnerable Dalit groups.

Chirag Paswan Opposes Economic Metrics, Calls for Resignations

Strongly rejecting the introduction of income ceilings or sub-classification, Chirag Paswan asserted that SC/ST reservations were established fundamentally to address historical untouchability and entrenched social discrimination, rather than temporary economic hardship. Turning the argument back on his alliance colleague, Paswan demanded:

"Those asking why there shouldn’t be a 'creamy layer' provision should first give up the benefits of reservation themselves. If Jitan Ram Manjhi feels these measures should be implemented, should he not resign first? He would fall under that category too. He should resign, and his son should resign as well."

Paswan maintained that applying a creamy layer or creating internal sub-quotas would fragment the broader Dalit coalition and weaken the constitutional struggle for social justice.

Jitan Ram Manjhi Fires Back: 'Chirag Should Step Down'

Refusing to back down, HAM-S patron Jitan Ram Manjhi swiftly retaliated, asserting that Paswan was detached from the grassroots realities confronting underprivileged communities:

"Since he (Chirag) does not want to look after the interests of our poor people, he should resign. This division is essential in the broader public interest to ensure benefits reach the most deprived."

Judicial Precedent and Ongoing Policy Debate

The rift follows the landmark August 2024 verdict delivered by a seven-judge Supreme Court Constitution Bench, which held that states hold the constitutional power to sub-classify SCs and STs to provide targeted affirmative action to weaker sub-castes, while individual judges also observed that the creamy layer principle could be extended to SCs/STs.

Although the Union Cabinet and the central government earlier clarified that affirmative action for SCs and STs remains anchored in the constitutional architecture without a creamy layer cap, differing regional priorities continue to fuel vigorous debates among Bihar's Dalit leadership.