With the Assembly polls in Bihar just around the corner, the Mahagathbandhan on Wednesday unveiled its 10-point Atipichhda Nyay Sankalp (justice resolution for Extremely Backward Classes) in Patna, promising to implement it in full if voted to power.
The Sankalp, released jointly by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, lays out social security measures in sectors such as education and employment for the state’s EBC communities, which account for roughly 36% of Bihar’s population.
“Today, we are committing to restoring justice and opportunities for the most deprived sections of society. The rights of EBCs have been neglected for too long. Our resolution puts their aspirations front and centre, both in the legislature and on the ground,” Gandhi said while unveiling the document.
The resolution promises a dedicated “EBC Atrocities Prevention Act” to “end discrimination and violence against them through robust legal measures”. It proposes enhancing reservations for EBC communities from 20% to 30% in panchayats and municipal bodies, pushing for an amendment to the 50% ceiling on quotas, and sending relevant legislation to the Centre to ensure it withstands legal scrutiny.
The Sankalp also pledges to declare the existing “not found suitable” provision in recruitment unlawful, citing its alleged misuse against EBC candidates, and to constitute a committee to review caste lists for “under-inclusion” and “over-inclusion”.
It further promises residential land grants—three decimals in urban areas and five decimals in rural areas—to all landless members of EBC, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities.
“As we battle unemployment and ‘vote theft’, land and housing for the poorest will be guaranteed, not as a privilege but as a right,” Yadav said.
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In private schools, the resolution proposes earmarking 50% of the seats under the Right to Education (RTE) quota for EBC, OBC, SC, and ST students, while mandating all private educational institutions in Bihar to implement reservation in line with Article 15(5) of the Constitution.
It also seeks to reserve 50% of government contracts and procurement works up to Rs 25 crore for members of the EBC, OBC, SC, and ST communities.
According to the resolution, a high-powered Reservation Regulatory Authority would be set up to oversee quota-related policies. It also proposes making approval from the state legislature mandatory before altering the list of castes eligible for reservation.
“During the 15-day strong>Voter Adhikar Yatra, we travelled through Bihar explaining that the Constitution is under attack. Our response is this resolution. It is a promise of legislative reform, education, employment, and dignity for the most marginalised sections of society,” Gandhi said.
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