New Delhi: Union minister Chirag Paswan was re-elected as president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) for five more years during a national executive meeting on Sunday. Paswan confirmed that the decision was made unanimously.
STORY | Chirag re-elected LJP (Ram Vilas) chief, pitches for caste census
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Paswan, the Minister of Food Processing Industries, mentioned that the meeting also discussed the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, and Jharkhand.
In Jharkhand, the party might either run in the elections with its national ally, the BJP, or independently. He added, “We have asked our state units if they prefer to run alone or in alliance in states where we are strong. At the national level, we are allied with the BJP and a key partner in the NDA.”
Paswan Open To BJP Alliance In Jharkhand
Paswan said, “In the 2014 elections, we partnered with the BJP for the Jharkhand assembly polls and contested the Shikaripara seat. If we can agree on a fair seat-sharing arrangement, we may form an alliance again; otherwise, we might go solo.”
He added that there is growing dissatisfaction with the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand, and he believes the NDA will return to power in the state.
Chirag Paswan Supports Caste Census With Caution
Paswan also supported a nationwide caste census but warned that releasing the results could cause divisions in society.
Chirag Paswan said, “We’ve always supported conducting a caste census to provide accurate data for the government. However, I don’t want the results made public, as it could cause divisions.”
#WATCH | On Caste Census, Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, “My party has always kept its stand clear that it is in favour of Caste Census. We want the Caste Census to happen. The reason for this is that many times the state government and the central government make many such… pic.twitter.com/jA3dZY8FdE
— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2024
He also mentioned that the national executive meeting passed a special resolution to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts and initiatives for the SC-ST community.
LJP Chief Commented On Creamy Layer
Paswan commented on the creamy layer concept within the SC community, stating, “We oppose it because these individuals face not only social and educational backwardness but also untouchability.”
He noted that even after many years of independence, Dalit grooms are still barred from riding horses at weddings. He mentioned learning about an IPS officer who needed security for his wedding.
Paswan also highlighted that Dalits are still sometimes banned from entering temples. He pointed out that the Supreme Court’s observations didn’t address untouchability, but the Prime Minister has affirmed that constitutional provisions for SCs will remain in place.
Earlier this month, a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, ruled 6-1 that state governments can sub-classify communities within the SC list using empirical data.
Supreme Court Justice B R Gavai stated that states need to create a policy to identify the creamy layer among Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) and exclude them from reservation benefits.
