The Bihar Assembly turned into a battleground Monday as NDA lawmakers unleashed pandemonium over an RJD legislator’s alleged slur against the late Ram Vilas Paswan. Describing the veteran leader as ‘bechara’ during last week’s debate, Bodh Gaya MLA Kumar Sarvesh provoked outrage from LJP(RV) members, who stormed the well of the house shouting for justice. Speaker Prem Kumar’s repeated calls for calm fell on deaf ears, leading to a swift suspension of proceedings.
Accusing RJD of disrespecting a Dalit icon, ruling alliance MLAs refused to budge until a formal apology was issued. The controversy overshadowed RJD’s push for hiking reservation quotas from 50% to 85% for OBCs, EBCs, and other backward classes. In response, opposition benches waved placards amplifying their demand, turning the floor into a visual clash of ideologies.
Outside the house, tensions simmered with prior protests including effigy burnings targeting Tejashwi Yadav. RJD’s Sarvesh dismissed the backlash as a ploy to distract from central government policies eroding marginalized communities’ rights. He insisted his words were twisted out of context, praising Paswan’s legacy by noting better outcomes under his influence.
LJP(RV)’s Raju Tiwari condemned the statement as blatantly casteist, reaffirming their commitment to honoring Paswan’s memory. As the political slugfest intensifies, Bihar’s lawmakers appear more focused on personal vendettas than governance, raising questions about legislative productivity amid the ongoing budget session.