Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislators, along with members of Left parties, gathered outside the Bihar Assembly on Tuesday, voicing their demand for implementing a 65% reservation policy.
The protest was based on a caste-based survey conducted by the previous Grand Alliance government, which recommended increasing the reservation quota to reflect the state's demographic composition.
Dressed in green T-shirts emblazoned with slogans advocating for enhanced reservation, the RJD MLAs insisted that the new reservation policy be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
They argued that such a move would protect it from potential judicial scrutiny. The Ninth Schedule is a provision that safeguards certain laws from being challenged in courts, ensuring their implementation without legal hurdles.
The protest began ahead of the Assembly's session, with the protesting MLAs chanting slogans like "Arakshan Chor NDA government," accusing the ruling coalition of neglecting the interests of backward communities.
The Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) government had previously conducted a caste-based survey, recommending an increase in reservations from the existing 49% to 65%. This included an additional 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) among upper castes.
However, despite the survey's findings, the enhanced reservation has not yet been included in the Ninth Schedule, leaving it open to legal challenges.
Opposition leaders allege that the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government is deliberately delaying the implementation of the increased quota, using judicial obstacles as an excuse.
Mukesh Roshan, RJD MLA from the Mahua constituency, criticised the government, accusing it of betraying the state's backward and marginalised communities.
He argued that the government has the power to implement the increased reservation and secure its place in the Ninth Schedule but is intentionally delaying the process.
"The Grand Alliance government conducted the caste-based survey and raised the reservation to 65%, but the NDA government is now hiding behind court decisions. This is a double-engine government — they have the power to implement the reservation and place it under the Ninth Schedule to protect it from judicial scrutiny," Roshan asserted.
Echoing his sentiments, Fateh Bahadur, another RJD MLA, emphasised that the reservation policy should reflect Bihar's demographic realities. He pointed out that Dalits, Mahadalits, backward castes, minorities, and extremely backward castes constitute nearly 90% of the state's population, yet their representation remains insufficient.
"According to the caste-based survey, Dalits, Mahadalits, backward castes, minorities, and extremely backward castes make up 90% of Bihar's population. Reservation policies must reflect this composition," Bahadur argued.
In response to the protest, the NDA government maintained that it is committed to addressing reservation reforms and assured that the matter would be discussed in the Assembly. The ruling coalition, however, has remained cautious about making any definitive commitments.
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