Latest news with #Manjhi
The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Family matters in Bihar's Dalit politics—Manjhis to Paswans, how kin are rising up the ladder
Opposition RJD criticised the appointments, saying these were made with an eye on the assembly elections due later this year. Chirag Paswan's brother-in-law Mrinal Paswan has been appointed chairperson of the commission, while Jitan Ram Manjhi's son-in-law Devendra Manjhi has been made its vice chairperson. New Delhi: The Nitish Kumar government's decision to appoint the relatives of Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi to top posts in the Bihar Scheduled Caste Commission months before elections has fuelled debate around 'dynastic politics' in parties led by Dalit leaders in the state. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's family now has seven members in politics, competing with the Lalu Prasad Yadav family's dominance in the state. Manjhi, who comes from the Mahadalit musahar community, contested the Lok Sabha polls from the Gaya seat in 1991, 2014, 2019 and 2024. He won only the 2024 polls. He is currently the oldest minister in the Modi cabinet, holding charge of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry. The Manjhi family Manjhi's son Santosh Kumar Suman is the national president of their party Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM). He is a minister in the Nitish cabinet, holding the Minor Water Resources portfolio. He was a minister in Nitish Kumar's 2020 cabinet too when he held the Minor Irrigation and SC/ST Welfare portfolios. Suman's wife Deepa Manjhi won the byelection from Imamganj assembly constituency in November 2024 as Jitan Ram Manjhi vacated the seat after his election to Lok Sabha. Deepa Manjhi's mother Jyoti Devi is also an MLA from the party. She represents the Barachatti assembly constituency. Devendra Manjhi, who has been made the vice-chairperson of the SC Commission, has been HAM general secretary and unsuccessfully contested the assembly election in 2020 from Makhdumpur. Jitan Ram Manjhi has two sons and five daughters. His younger son Pravin Suman is also in politics. Manjhi's elder daughter Sunaina has contested a deputy mayoral election in 2022. Devendra Manjhi first came in news in 2014 when Jitan Ram Manjhi, as the chief minister of Bihar, appointed him as his personal assistant, and another relative, Satendra Kumar, a clerk. The BJP, then in the opposition, criticised Manjhi, citing a general administration department's order of 23 May 2000 that no minister can appoint a relative as PA. Manji defended the appointment, saying Devendra has been his PA since 2006. But as the controversy erupted, Devendra resigned. When ThePrint spoke to him after his appointment at the SC Commission, Devendra Manjhi said, 'When a doctor's son becomes a doctor, nobody asks questions.' He said he is an engineer and has been working among people for the last 25 years, despite being the son-in-law of an MP and former chief minister. 'Today, after spending so much time among people, I have been appointed as vice-chairperson to work among Dalits. What is wrong with it?' He said the HAM fought the 2015 elections in alliance with the RJD and the JD(U), and the party was given 21 seats to contest. 'But I did not get the ticket then and contested as an Independent. Nobody asked why Manjhi's son-in-law did not get a ticket. My appointment is not dynastic politics.' Also Read: Why India won't see women's reservation in effect until 2039—it's about trickery The Lalu family RJD president Lalu Prasad himself no longer contests elections due to ill health. But his two sons—Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav—are members of the Bihar legislative assembly, and their mother Rabri Devi, also a former chief minister, is in the state legislative council. Prasad's eldest daughter Misa Bharti, a former Rajya Sabha member, now represents the Patliputra Lok Sabha constituency. His another daughter, Rohini Acharya, unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections against the BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy from Saran. His other daughter Raj Lakshami is married to the late Mulayam Singh Yadav's grandson Tej Pratap Yadav, a Samajwadi Party MLA. Raj Lakshami's sister Anushka is married to Chiranjeev Yadav, who is son of Haryana Congress leader Ajay Yadav. Chiranjeev was an MLA until 2024 when he lost the assembly poll. Prasad's daughter Ragini is married to Rahul Yadav, son of Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh MLC Jitendra Yadav. Rahul contested the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections from Sikandrabad but lost. Also Read: Women in LS not without dynastic ties — 55% have political links, 23 with serving or ex MP/MLA spouses The Ram Vilas family Late Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan formed the Lok Janshakti Party in 2000. After his death in 2020, the party split into Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), controlled by his son and MP Chirag Paswan, and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party led by his brother Pashupati Kumar Paras. Chirag's brother-in-law Mrinal Paswan, who is the Lok Janshakti Party's (Ram Vilas) general secretary and who unsuccessfully contested the 2020 assembly polls from the Raja Pakar seat in Vaishali, has been made the chairperson of SC commission by the Nitish Kumar government. Mrinal is married to the daughter of Ram Vilas Paswan and his first wife Rajkumari Devi, who was recently in news after Pashupati Kumar Paras's wife Sobha Devi allegedly humiliated her. Like Manjhi, Ram Vilas Paswan can also be credited with bringing his family members into politics. He first got Pashupathi Paras to contest the 1977 Bihar assembly elections, and later made him the state president of the undivided LJP. Paswan's other brother Ram Chandra Paswan contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls and won. Ram Vilas' two daughters—Usha and Asha—from his first marriage are married to politicians. Paswan has two children from his second marriage, Chirag Paswan and daughter Nisha. Chirag is the MP from Hajipur, while Nisha is married to Arun Bharti, who represents the Jamui Lok Sabha seat. Ram Chandra's son Prince was also a Lok Sabha member but he lost his Samastipur seat in the 2024 polls. Mrinal Paswan told ThePrint he has spent many years in politics and he cannot be called an example of dynastic politics. 'I didn't get anything automatically,' he said. 'I will work for all sections of society.' In other appointments, Nitish Kumar has made Manoj Rishi the chairman of the Mahadalit Commission. Manoj is son of Vishwanath Rishi, a former minister and the first chairman of Mahadalit Commission. Nitish Kumar created the first Mahadalit Commission in 2007, two years after coming to power in 2005 for his second term. He empowered them by facilitating land ownership, skill development, reserving seats in local bodies and creating employment opportunities for them. This was seen as his attempt to create a captive Mahadalit voter base for his JD(U). The Nitish government also appointed Bhumihar leader Maha Chandra Prasad as the chairperson of the Bihar Swarn Commission. Gulam Rasool Balyawi, who vocally protested against the Waqf Act, has been appointed the chairperson of the state's Minority Commission, which is being seen as an attempt to send a message to the minority community. Other Dalit leaders There are other Dalit leaders whose kin entered politics. Former deputy prime minister Jagjiavn Ram's daughter Meira Kumar became a Lok Sabha speaker. Her son Anshul is a Congress spokesperson and has contested a Lok Sabha election. BSP chief Mayawati promoted his brother Anand Kumar as the vice president of the party and nephew Akash Anand as chief national coordinator. Congress leader and former Union minister Sushilkumar Shinde's daughter Praniti Shinde is now a member of Lok Sabha. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's son Priyank is a minister in the Karnataka government and son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani an MP from Gulbarga. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Protect BJP from becoming Congress & be patient—Modi's masterclass to MPs, MLA in poll-bound Bihar
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Indian Army taught Pakistan a lesson: Jitan Ram Manjhi
A day after the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi praised the Indian Army's swift and decisive action during Operation Sindoor, asserting that Pakistan was forced to seek U.S. mediation due to the pressure exerted by India's military might. 'Within just two days of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army taught a tough lesson to Pakistan. Now they understand the power of our defence forces,' Manjhi said, addressing the media in Gaya on Sunday. He further added that the Indian government's stance on terrorism remains unchanged despite the ceasefire, highlighting the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty as a strong diplomatic move post-Pahalgam terror attack. 'Any terrorist activity from now on will be treated as an act of war. We have no enmity with the people or the Army of Pakistan, but we have zero tolerance for the terrorists operating from their soil,' Manjhi declared. 'I praise PM Narendra Modi and the Indian Army for their exemplary courage and bravery during Operation Sindoor,' Manjhi said. Meanwhile, Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav also extended gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces for their courage and professionalism during Operation Sindoor. He reiterated his demand for the Prime Minister to call a special session of Parliament. 'The entire nation has one stand against terrorism. A special session of Parliament is necessary to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the Pahalgam attack and during Operation Sindoor,' Yadav said. Yadav also appealed to media organisations to report sensitively on national security matters. 'I had urged the media three days ago, with folded hands, to exercise caution while covering Operation Sindoor. I repeat that appeal today,' he emphasised. The ceasefire, facilitated following high-level discussions, including a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi, has drawn mixed reactions from political leaders, though most remain unified in their support for India's armed forces and national security policies.
The Print
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Print
Odisha to emerge as top player in steel sector: CM Mohan Manjhi
Stating that steel is the mother industry of the eastern state and on the basis that it is leading India in steel production, Manjhi said, 'We are currently producing more than 41 million tonnes of steel. Our target is to take steel production to 130 million tonnes by 2030'. At that time, he said, Odisha would account for some 50 per cent of the country's total steel output. 'Odisha will lead the country in the steel sector. We are becoming an economic power among the five states which are leading the country (in terms of economic development). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already said that Odisha will be the growth engine for making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and we are already moving on this path,' Manjhi told reporters on the sidelines of Steel India 2025 event, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Steel and industry body Ficci here. Mumbai, Apr 25 (PTI) Sounding confident that Odisha will emerge as the top player in the steel sector, Chief Minister Mohan Manjhi on Friday said that the state is providing a conducive environment for investors. He said that the mineral-mines-rich state, received investment proposals worth Rs 17-lakh crore at the two-day business conclave, 'Utkasrh Odisha' held in January this year with a substantial portion of this investment intended for the steel sector. Besides, this would also create 9-lakh job opportunities in the state, he said. He said that the state is getting these opportunities due to the double engine sarkar — the same party's government at the Centre and in the state — according importance to infrastructure development including enhancing the road, port and rail connectivity to facilitate the industry. 'We have also rolled out a new industrial policy, offering financial incentives to the industry, which is far more simple and clear than such policies of other states,' he added. PTI IAS MR MR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
26-04-2025
- Business
- The Print
Odisha to emerge as top player in steel sector: CM Mohan Manji
Stating that steel is the mother industry of the eastern state and on the basis that it is leading India in steel production, Manjhi said, 'We are currently producing more than 41 million tonnes of steel. Our target is to take steel production to 130 million tonnes by 2030'. At that time, he said, Odisha would account for some 50 per cent of the country's total steel output. 'Odisha will lead the country in the steel sector. We are becoming an economic power among the five states which are leading the country (in terms of economic development). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already said that Odisha will be the growth engine for making India a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and we are already moving on this path,' Manjhi told reporters on the sidelines of Steel India 2025 event, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Steel and industry body Ficci here. Mumbai, Apr 25 (PTI) Sounding confident that Odisha will emerge as the top player in the steel sector, Chief Minister Mohan Manji on Friday said that the state is providing a conducive environment for investors. He said that the mineral-mines-rich state, received investment proposals worth Rs 17-lakh crore at the two-day business conclave, 'Utkasrh Odisha' held in January this year with a substantial portion of this investment intended for the steel sector. Besides, this would also create 9-lakh job opportunities in the state, he said. He said that the state is getting these opportunities due to the double engine sarkar — the same party's government at the Centre and in the state — according importance to infrastructure development including enhancing the road, port and rail connectivity to facilitate the industry. 'We have also rolled out a new industrial policy, offering financial incentives to the industry, which is far more simple and clear than such policies of other states,' he added. PTI IAS MR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Security forces kill Maoist Central Committee member in Jharkhand, 2nd blow to the top cadre this yr
Manjhi was the second central committee member to have been eliminated by the security forces so far this year. In January this year, security forces killed Ramachandra Reddy Gari Pratap Reddy alias Chalapathi in Chhattisgarh's Kularighat reserve forest, barely 5 km from Odisha's Nuapada district. The central committee member was identified as Vivek, also known as Prayag Manjhi, from the state itself, and had a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head, Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta confirmed to ThePrint. New Delhi: In a major operational success against the violent Maoist movement in the country, security forces Monday killed a member of the Central Committee, the top decision-making body of the Maoists, in Jharkhand. DGP Gupta added that, alongside Manjhi, forces also killed Arvind, a Special Area Committee member with a Rs 25 lakh bounty on his head, and Saheb Ram, a Zonal Committee member with a Rs 10 lakh bounty, during an exchange of fire. Forces killed a total of eight suspected Maoists in the exchange of fire Monday. Monday's encounter broke out in the Lugu hills located in the Lalpania area of Jharkhand's Bokaro district. The operation started early Monday morning when a team comprising forces from the 209th Battalion of the elite CoBRA unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jharkhand Police were dispatched to carry out a search operation in the area. CRPF officials said that a huge cache of arms and ammunition has also been recovered in the operations. 'Exchange of fire has stopped. Search operation is ongoing,' a CRPF spokesperson said. The developments in Jharkhand come amidst an unprecedented crackdown on suspected Maoists in Chhattisgarh. State police forces, along with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) like the CRPF, have launched an aggressive offensive against Maoist groups, even deep inside areas that were once strongholds for the Red Army. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set March 2026 as the deadline to end the Maoist threat in the country. Addressing the Raising Day function of the CRPF last week, Shah had claimed that the Maoist threat was limited to only four districts and praised the CRPF and its CoBRA unit for opening up new camps in deeper areas, leading to success in operations against Maoists. (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: Timeline of events leading up to 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India
