Patna, Aug 29: Bihar minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) national president Santosh Kumar Suman on Saturday hit back at Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan over the reservation controversy, asserting that he was not seeking abolition of the quota system but its expansion to benefit the most disadvantaged Dalit communities.
The exchange comes amid heightened political rhetoric in Bihar over calls for a review of reservations.
Chirag Paswan had said that Suman and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi should resign from their ministerial positions if they were demanding a review of the reservation system.
Responding to the LJP (Ram Vilas) chief, Suman said Chirag was like a younger brother whom he respected, but had misunderstood the intent behind his remarks.
“We are not calling for the abolition of reservations, but rather for increasing the reservation limit to provide more opportunities to the most disadvantaged sections of the Dalit community,” Suman said.
He said several communities within the Scheduled Castes continue to remain outside the mainstream of development and face difficulties related to education, economic conditions, social respect and untouchability.
“Even within the Scheduled Castes, there are many communities that remain outside the mainstream of development,” Suman said.
The HAM(S) leader argued that the benefits of reservation should reach the most vulnerable sections and that the possibility of increasing the reservation limit and ensuring a more equitable distribution of benefits should be examined.
“If, even after years, some communities are deprived of education, employment, and social respect, it is necessary to seriously consider this,” he said.
Taking a sarcastic swipe at Chirag’s resignation demand, Suman said the LJP (Ram Vilas) leader could lead by example.
“Chirag is our younger brother, but his party is bigger. If he feels he should resign, he should start first, we will follow,” Suman said.
Suman maintained that his party’s position was aimed at ensuring that reservation benefits reach communities that remain deprived, rather than dismantling the reservation system.
The remarks are likely to add another layer to the ongoing political debate in Bihar, where reservation and representation remain sensitive issues ahead of the state’s electoral contest.
