Manthan 2025: The appearance of political heavyweights to counter and debate issues concerning Bihar politics continues, as News 24’s Manak Gupta poses questions on behalf of the citizens of Bihar. Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Chairman of the Bihar Public Accounts Committee, Government of Bihar, and Rakesh Sinha, member of the BJP and RSS, Nominated member of Rajya Sabha led a heated debate on SIR, insurgency and issues that plague Bihar Politics.
"बीजेपी के बहुत से नेताओं की मुस्लिम समाज में बहुत इज्जत होती है"
◆ News24 के मंथन मंच पर RJD के नेता @abarisiddiqui ने कहा #BiharElection | @manakgupta | #Manthan2025 | #News24Manthan | News24 Manthan 2025 | Bihar Election | #BiharElection | Manak Gupta pic.twitter.com/bDd1i49Dwh---Advertisement---— News24 (@news24tvchannel) October 3, 2025
Manak Gupta asked Sddiqui about his previous statements and how they might have been misinterpreted. He asked whether the political leader meant that the BJP and RSS are leading Indians towards extremist behaviour. Siddiqui responded that it was not he who had made such a statement – “it’s the media,” he said – and added that “when the Home Minister himself states and approves of such opinions that are targeted towards a community,” it becomes a concern.
He further clarified that Muslims have played an inherent role in the development of the nation, even though they have been a smaller community.
He mentioned that Muslims were integral to the nation’s fight for freedom and added that close to 8,000 Muslim soldiers’ names have been etched on India Gate’s war memorial.
कैसे लालकृष्ण आडवाणी के रथ को लालू यादव ने रोका था ?
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) October 3, 2025
◆ सुनिए News24 के मंथन मंच पर RJD के नेता @abarisiddiqui ने क्या कहा #BiharElection | @manakgupta | #Manthan2025 | #News24Manthan | News24 Manthan 2025 | Bihar Election | #BiharElection | Manak Gupta pic.twitter.com/GXZ7SMQLNM
“Raising questions against our community and disrupting the harmony of our existence is disrespectful to those muslims who laid down their lives for the freedom of the country,” he added.
Upon being asked another question, he said, “It’s possible that I might have a different opinion than that of the BJP, but I have no issues with their political leaders. I have had good terms with a lot of them.”
“For the election, we will state our agenda and our opinions, while the opposing party will continue to pose theirs,” he said.
Rakesh Jha’s question about misplaced extra – territorial Loyalty?
Rakesh Sinha, another panelist on the podium, raised his voice against the alleged “extra-territorial loyalty” that he claimed has been showcased by some members of the Muslim community in the nation. He said that Hindus were killed in Bangladesh and yet no Muslim processions were organized in protest. He added, “When both communities share a similar history, why does chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’ pose an issue for the Muslim community?”
He further stated that one cannot forget the heritage of the nation and gave examples of how countries like Russia and Persia have been able to move ahead while holding on to their heritage. He said Muslims should respect the heritage of the nation.
speaking on insurgency in Bihar, He pointed out that Darbhanga had a Muslim population of 15% in 2011, which grew to 22% in 2022 -an increase of 7%. He alleged that this was due to illegal insurgency and claimed that insurgents have been settling in parts of Bihar.
"मसलमानों को भारत की विरासत से प्यार करना चाहिए"
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) October 3, 2025
◆ News24 के मंथन मंच पर बीजेपी सांसद राकेश सिन्हा ने कहा #BiharElection | @manakgupta | #Manthan2025 | #News24Manthan | News24 Manthan 2025 | Bihar Election | #BiharElection | Manak Gupta | @RakeshSinha01 pic.twitter.com/ZqboZ4zHM3
“A few of them have been caught in the SIR process, but many who have managed to settle and fake entries into records still exist,” he said.
Upon being asked by Gupta whether he believes that even after the SIR, the voter list still contains insurgents, he evaded the question and instead responded with a counter-question: “Why are residents against proving their citizenship?”
"हिंदुओं के जितने तीर्थ स्थल है, उनके चारों ओर घुसपैठियों को बसाने की कोशिश हो रही हैं"
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) October 3, 2025
◆ News24 के मंथन मंच पर बीजेपी सांसद राकेश सिन्हा ने कहा#BiharElection | @manakgupta | #Manthan2025 | #News24Manthan | News24 Manthan 2025 | Bihar Election | #BiharElection | Manak Gupta… pic.twitter.com/Y04QH5D9ya
Taking another jibe at the alleged insurgency, Sinha added that Hindu pilgrimages are being targeted by the settlement of Muslim insurgents. Upon further mentioning the establishment of a detention centre in Assam, Manak Gupta asked him about the exact number of insurgents that the government has been able to catch in the nation.
Replying to the question, Sinha said, “If our party gets into power…”
Upon this statement, an uproar rose within the room. Gupta stated that the NDA government has been in power for the last 20 years.
Evading the question, Sinha said, “It will be the prime responsibility of our party to work sternly against insurgency.”
You can watch the entire interview here –
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