Union Minister Chirag Paswan launched a sharp rebuttal against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on caste discrimination, turning the spotlight back on previous governments while firmly defending India’s reservation system. Speaking to reporters in Patna on Saturday, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader didn’t hold back.

Key facts

  • Chirag Paswan responded to Rahul Gandhi’s comments on a purification ritual in Uttarakhand
  • Demanded resignation of HAM(S) leader Santosh Kumar Suman from Bihar Cabinet
  • Defended reservation as constitutional right based on social discrimination

A Political Counterpunch

Paswan challenged those who held power before the BJP era to explain why caste discrimination still persists. His comments came after Gandhi criticized a purification ceremony conducted at a venue where Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had spoken, calling it equivalent to untouchability.

Reservation Under Fire

The minister’s strongest words came in defense of India’s reservation policy, which he called “an unyielding constitutional right rather than charity.” He emphasized that reservation stems from social discrimination and untouchability—not economic criteria—and warned that those seeking to change its basis “must change the Constitution.”

“Reservation, gifted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constitution, cannot be abolished or undermined by any power on earth because groups or protesters demand it.”

Coalition Tensions Surface

Paswan also turned his fire on alliance partner Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), demanding the resignation of its leader Santosh Kumar Suman from the Bihar Cabinet. The party had called for a review of reservation policy and sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes and Tribes—a move Paswan called unconstitutional.

The demand sparked immediate pushback. Suman and his father, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, both shot back, asking Paswan to resign first and accusing him of misunderstanding their position on reservation reforms.