RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. File picture
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Leader of Opposition and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) working President Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday (February 22, 2026) targeted ruling Nitish Kumar government alleging that those in power are conspiring to destroy the constitution.
He said it during the birth anniversary celebration of Sant Shiromani Ravidas, a medieval-era saint associated with the Bhakti movement and an icon of the oppressed castes, organised by the RJD at Patna Miller High School campus.
He also alleged that the BJP, following the policies of Godse and Golwalkar, is promoting hatred in society and is engaged in activities that weaken the country.
Mr. Yadav asserted that unlike ruling parties, RJD has always respected its ancestors and his father and party’s supremo Lalu Prasad has worked to advance society based on the ideas of such personalities.
“Efforts are being made by the ruling parties to weaken Baba Saheb’s Constitution. We must remain vigilant against this. We did justice to everyone by conducting a caste-based survey and increased the reservation to 65%. However, as soon as the Grand Alliance government was replaced, the double-engine government removed the reservation system,”Mr. Yadav said.
He further said, “While the Grand Alliance government had sent a proposal to the Bihar Cabinet to include 65% reservation in the Ninth Schedule, the BJP obstructed it and weakened the reservation system”.
He termed BJP a reservation-thief adding that the double-engine government has deprived the exploited, the backward, the most backward, the Dalits, and the tribals of reservations.
The RJD leader promised that pressure would be mounted on the government to include the thoughts of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Ravidas, and Kabir in the school syllabus. “Voices will be raised both inside and outside the House for this purpose,” he added.
He informed that Ravidas Chetna Manch leader Shivchandra Ram has submitted a fifteen-point demand letter, and pressure will be put on the government to implement it.
Mr. Yadav pointed out that RJD respects Ravidas, Kabir, Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Ram Manohar Lohia, Karpoori Thakur, Jagdeo Prasad, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and other great men.
“We must all fight and agitate for the legacy of our ancestors, leading to the betterment of everyone in society. We have always worked for the political, social, and economic advancement of the Ravidas community and will continue to do so,” Mr. Yadav said.
Highlighting the encroachment drive of the State government, the RJD leader said that the homes and shops of the poor, the exploited, the street vendors, and the vegetable sellers in Bihar are being destroyed.
“Those in power are frauds, thugs, and liars, and their policies are anti-poor. The liquor ban campaign in Bihar has completely failed. Mafia are being protected at the government level. Neither women nor the common people are safe in Bihar. The crime rate is rising rapidly,” Mr. Yadav said.
He alleged that people in power allow criminals to flourish due to which the government’s credibility has been put at stake.
At the function, a demand was made to give Bharat Ratna to former Deputy Prime Minister of India Jagjivan Ram and Kanshi Ram. Along with this, a demand was made to install life-size statues of Bhimrao Ambedkar and Ravidas in the Bihar Legislative Assembly premises.
Published – February 23, 2026 01:20 am IST
