To build upon the revelations from Bihar’s recent caste survey, the ruling JD(U) has unveiled a mega gathering, titled the “Bhim Sansad,” for the Scheduled Castes community.
Bhim Sansad is scheduled for November 5 in Patna and has been set in motion with the commencement of several “Bhim Sansad Raths” from Patna on October 10 by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
These mobile platforms will traverse various regions of Bihar, rallying the masses for the forthcoming event.
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Key figures leading this initiative include Dalit leaders Ashok Kumar Choudhary, Sunil Kumar, and Ranesh Sada, along with several ministers.
The Bihar caste survey report has highlighted the significance of the Scheduled Castes, revealing that they constitute 19.65 per cent of the state’s population, an increase from the prior estimate of approximately 16 per cent.
The Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) were identified as the largest social group, comprising 36.1 per cent of the population.
Ashok Kumar Choudhary, the Building Construction Minister, highlighted the core objective of the “Bhim Sansad,” which is to strive for societal equity—a pursuit aligned with their government’s slogan, “development with justice.”
Preparatory interactions preceding the “Bhim Sansad” involve reaching out to people across the state, urging them to join this cause. The aim is to make the November meeting a big success.
Choudhary mentioned the steps taken under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, such as the establishment of a dedicated SC/ST Welfare Department in 2007. He highlighted the substantial budget allocation for the SC/ST Welfare Department, which has grown significantly over the years. Furthermore, various benefits, including financial support for qualifying examinations, and scholarships for SC/ST students, are provided to empower the community.
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Sunil Kumar, the Prohibition and Excise Minister and Ratnesh Sada, the SC/ST Welfare Minister have been deployed with mobilising support in Siwan/Gopalganj and Kosi/Seemanchal regions, respectively.
A senior JD(U) leader said, “SCs and EBCs have always been our areas of focus. Now that the caste survey report shows them as big social groups, we have started by reaching out to the SCs first. A devoted meeting for EBCs could be also on the cards. There are many takeaways from the survey. We have to start capitalising on them before the BJP offers any counter strategy.”
Upon assuming office in November 2005, Nitish Kumar amalgamated 21 SCs under the “Mahadalits” category, with the exception of the Paswans. This move helped him gain support from these Dalit groups and enhance his political standing, despite belonging to the Kurmis caste, which has a relatively small presence in Bihar. His decision to appoint Jitan Ram Manjhi as CM in 2014 further demonstrated his commitment to Dalit welfare.
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Responding to criticism from BJP’s national spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan, Ashok Kumar Choudhary defended the “Bhim Sansad” as an important endeavour rather than mere political symbolism.
He rejected the BJP’s stance on reviewing reservations and highlighted their efforts to empower the SC community.