RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. File Image | Photo credit: The Hindu
Leader of the Opposition and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) working president Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday (February 22, 2026) attacked the ruling Nitish Kumar government saying that those in power had conspired to destroy the Constitution.
He said this while celebrating the birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Ravidas, a medieval saint associated with the Bhakti movement and an icon of the downtrodden castes, organized by the RJD at the Patna Miller High School campus.
He also alleged that the BJP, in line with the politics of Godse and Golwalkar, is promoting hatred in society and engaging in activities that weaken the country.
Mr Yadav claimed that unlike the ruling parties, the RJD had always respected its forefathers and his father and party supremo Lalu Prasad had worked to develop a society based on the ideas of such personalities.
“The ruling parties are trying to weaken Baba Saheb’s constitution. We have to remain vigilant against this. We have done justice for everyone by conducting a caste survey and increased reservation to 65%. But once the Grand Alliance government was replaced, the two-engine government removed the reservation system,” said Mr. Yadav said.
He further said, “While the Grand Alliance government sent a proposal to the Bihar Cabinet to include 65% reservation in the Ninth Plan, the BJP opposed it and weakened the reservation system”.
Calling the BJP a reservation thief, he added that the two-engine government had deprived the exploited, backward, Least Retarded, Dalits and tribals of their reservations.
The RJD leader promised that pressure would be put on the government so that the ideas of Baba Saheb Dr. She included Bhimrao Ambedkar, Ravidas and Kabir in the school curriculum. “Voices will be raised for this purpose inside and outside the House,” he added.
He informed that Ravidas Chetna Manch leader Shivchandra Ram had presented a fifteen-point demand and pressure would 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 all have to fight and agitate for the legacy of our forefathers, which will lead to the betterment of everyone in the society. We have always worked for the political, social and economic development of the Ravidas community and will continue to do so,” said Mr. Yadav.
Highlighting the state government’s efforts to intervene, the RJD leader said that the houses and shops of the poor, exploited, street vendors and vegetable vendors in Bihar are being destroyed.
“Those in power are cheaters, thugs and liars and their policies are anti-poor. The campaign to ban liquor in Bihar has completely failed. The mafia is protected at the government level. Neither women nor common people are safe in Bihar. The crime rate is increasing rapidly,” Mr Yadav said.
He argued that people in power were allowing criminals to flourish, thereby jeopardizing the government’s credibility.
At the ceremony, there was a demand 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 larger than life size statues of Bhimrao Ambedkar and Ravidas in the Bihar Legislative Assembly premises.
Published – 23 Feb 2026 01:20 IST
