Pandemonium gripped the Bihar Legislative Assembly in zero hour over UGC equity guidelines, ignited by CPI(ML) MLA Sandeep Saurabh’s use of ‘Brahmin.’ Demanding enforcement and federal legislation, Saurabh clashed with BJP’s Murari Mohan Thakur, their finger-wagging duel captivating the chamber.
The equity push morphed into a caste discourse. Deputy CM Vijay Sinha, revealing his Bhumihar Brahmin heritage, confided, ‘I suffered ragging and discrimination too.’ This testimony bridged policy with personal narrative.
MLA Romit Kumar highlighted census disparities from 1931, advocating clarity through state action to quash ambiguities in population data.
Leveraging his role in Revenue and Land Reforms, Sinha vowed permanence: ‘Brahmin notations in records stay put. No modifications to departmental files.’
Echoing discontent, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav assailed the regime externally. ‘Lawlessness pervades Bihar due to systemic failure. Criminals, protected by rulers, revel in partnerships with politicians. With leadership insensate, the masses agonize, civil servants corrupt, and delinquents dominate,’ he proclaimed to journalists.
This flare-up illuminates persistent caste tensions in legislative forums, intertwining education policy, historical records, and leadership critiques in Bihar’s charged environment.