Bihar Rises for Social and Economic Justice
On the final day of the Bihar Legislative Assembly session, the Bihar government faced severe criticism over the question of including 65% reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the 9th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This issue came under scrutiny following a social-economic survey. This issue gained prominence after the social-economic survey and a non-governmental resolution introduced by CPI (ML) legislator Ajit Kushwaha.
Just two days prior, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced that a proposal to include 65% reservation in the 9th Schedule had been sent for approval. This move was intended to provide legal backing for the reservation policy. During the assembly session, Ajit Kushwaha questioned the government about the status of the official notification regarding this proposal and whether it had been formally passed by the assembly. Bihar Minister Vijay Chaudhary responded by stating that following a ruling by the Patna High Court, which had annulled the 65% reservation provision, the government had appealed to the Supreme Court. He indicated that progress on the matter would depend on the Supreme Court’s decision.
MLAs from CPI (ML) and other India Alliance parties staged a strong protest against the government’s response. Ajit Kushwaha criticised the government for making verbal commitments without providing written evidence. Opposition legislators demanded a vote on the non-governmental resolution. However, the Assembly Speaker, in violation of rules, ignored this demand.
Earlier in the session, legislator Sandeep Saurabh introduced a non-governmental resolution to grant central university status to Patna University. The education minister gave a vague and evasive reply, revealing the lack of serious intent from the BJP-JDU coalition regarding the elevation of Patna University to central university status. The handling of this issue further exposed the insincerity of the ruling coalition on important educational matters.
Huq do, vada nibhao!
Amid the question of caste survey and increased reservation, the is witnessing a major political campaign organised by CPIML with clarion call of Huq do, vada nibhao! (Give our rights, keep your word!).
Bihar government's own socio-economic survey brought to the fore Bihar's most pressing problem: acute poverty. 34% families earn less than Rs. 6,000 per month. Another 30% earn less than ₹10,000 per month. And after this the CM Nitish Kumar announced his government's decision to extend financial assistance of ₹200,000 to all the 94 lakh families below Rs. 6,000 level but failed to implement it after he switched to BJP fold.
Under the campaign, block after block the poor of Bihar are reminding Nitish Kumar of the commitment he made on the floor of the Assembly. Between August 22-24, 2024, there was a substantial mobilisation of the poor across block headquarters. The campaign saw the filling out of approximately:
- 1.5 lakh forms for income certificates below ₹72,000.
- 1 lakh forms for 5 decimal land allocation.
- 75,000 forms for permanent housing.
CPI (ML) Liberation demands that the land survey process be made more just, transparent, and inclusive. The party calls for a meeting of all political parties to address these issues and protect the interests of the poor, indigenous people, and marginalised communities.
