Patna,(BiharTimes): Jitan Ram Manjhi, who got an opportunity––courtesy Nitish Kumar––to run the politically vibrant state like Bihar for about nine months has not only carved his own niche but changed the grammar of the politics. He thus established himself as a Dalit martyr of a sort.

In the state often known for semi-feudal setup three Dalit leaders became chief ministers, including Jitan Ram Manjhi. But two earlier CMs, Bhola Paswan Shastri and Ram Sundar Das, could not continue beyond a few months and that without making any mark. Shastri became CM thrice, but all the time for brief period.

Manjhi was a bit different from them. He asserted himself as a Dalit leader with own ideas and vision.
Hitting out at his own mentor Nitish Kumar he said, “It is true that for initial 2-3 months I acted like a rubber stamp. I used to get list of transfer and posting of officials from Nitish Kumar on which I had to simply put my signature. I was not even consulted who would be my ministers.”“Then I realized that I shouldn’t compromise on the issue of self respect and then from there theproblems started,” he added

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It reflected his courage to assert and challenge one of the most powerful leaders of the state on his turf. He has given a clear message that he is not Rabri Devi and would not allow his Mahadalit identity to be used for the advantage of somebody else.

Coming from Mushhar community, the most backward among Dalits whose literacy figure is barely six per cent, he tried his best to make them aware of their political rights. He often said, “If 22% Dalit voters unite, only a Dalit will be CM in Bihar.” The official figure of Dalits in Bihar is about 16 per cent. But he would claim that they are under-enumerated.

Exuding confidence in another meeting he said that he wanted to prove that a “Mahadalit” can run a government effectively.As a chief minister he took more than 40 cabinet decisions for the welfare of Dalits and never missed any chance to espouse their cause at public forum. This was somewhat unprecedented.

Interestingly despite all his efforts hardly any other senior Dalit leader joined him when he was fighting the battle for his survival. Even Lalu Prasad, who was once called as Messiah of “Social Justice” sided with Nitish and left this Dalit leader to fend for himself.His political capital is yet to be tested on the ground and much would depend how Manjhi gets response from his own community that never tasted the political power for long.

The new social engineering of saffron party may get a boost, provided how his services are utilized. The party has repeatedly been harping on the allegation that a Mahadalit was insulted and humiliated by Nitish. Since Assembly election is still eight months away politics may take some more turns but undoubtedly Manjhi may have lost the battle but won a war and established new Dalit icon in the Hindi heartland.