Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi Spar Over SC/ST Quotas, Seek Each Other’s Resignation

New Delhi: Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi have become involved in a sharp political confrontation over issues related to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe reservations, with both leaders reportedly seeking each other's resignation.

The exchange has drawn attention because both Paswan and Manjhi are prominent political leaders from Bihar and hold positions in the Union government.

The disagreement has brought questions surrounding reservation policy, political representation and Dalit politics back into focus.

Row over SC/ST quotas

The dispute reportedly centres on issues related to SC/ST quotas and reservation policy.

Reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes remain among the most politically sensitive issues in India, with debates frequently emerging over representation, constitutional protections and the implementation of affirmative action policies.

Both Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi have strong political identities connected to Dalit and marginalised communities.

Their public disagreement is therefore significant within Bihar's political landscape and the broader national debate on social justice.

Leaders seek each other's resignation

The political confrontation intensified as both Union ministers reportedly called for the other's resignation.

Such a public exchange between members of the broader ruling alliance has attracted political attention and could create pressure for efforts to resolve the disagreement.

The episode also demonstrates the complexities of managing different political interests and viewpoints within a coalition environment.

Although parties may share a broader alliance, leaders can continue to hold differing positions on issues involving regional politics, social representation and policy.

Chirag Paswan's political position

Chirag Paswan is a prominent Bihar leader and heads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

He has sought to carry forward the political legacy of his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan, and has positioned himself as an important voice on issues concerning Dalit welfare and social justice.

Paswan's political influence extends beyond Bihar, particularly because of his role in the Union government and his party's participation in the NDA.

Jitan Ram Manjhi's political role

Jitan Ram Manjhi is the founder of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and a former Chief Minister of Bihar.

He has remained a significant political figure among Dalit communities and has frequently raised issues concerning reservation, representation and social welfare.

Manjhi's political career has been marked by outspoken positions on social and political issues, making him one of Bihar's most prominent leaders.

Bihar politics in focus

The disagreement between Paswan and Manjhi is particularly important because Bihar remains a politically significant state with complex caste and community equations.

Dalit and marginalised communities represent an important section of the electorate, and political parties frequently compete for their support.

The row could therefore have implications beyond the immediate disagreement between the two leaders.

Opposition parties may also attempt to use the dispute to question unity within the ruling alliance.

Reservation remains a sensitive issue

SC/ST reservation policies are protected by constitutional provisions and remain central to India's affirmative action framework.

Political discussions around reservation often generate intense reactions because they involve questions of historical discrimination, representation and access to education and government employment.

Any disagreement among senior political leaders over such issues is therefore likely to receive significant attention.

The latest confrontation between Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi has added another dimension to the debate.

What happens next

It remains to be seen whether the disagreement will be resolved through discussions within the ruling alliance or continue as a public political dispute.

The response of the parties led by Paswan and Manjhi, as well as other NDA leaders, could play an important role in determining the political impact of the controversy.

For now, the exchange has placed two prominent Bihar-based Union ministers on opposite sides of a politically sensitive debate.

The dispute highlights how questions surrounding SC/ST reservations, social justice and political representation continue to shape political relationships and electoral calculations in Bihar and beyond.