Lohia's statue 'purified' after Manjhi garlands it

The “purification” of veteran socialist Ram Manohar Lohia’s statue shortly after former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi garlanded it in Supaul has snowballed into a major controversy with the JD(U) and the BJP slamming those involved in the incident.

A section of the students’ wing of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), claiming to be members of Lohia Vichar Manch, washed the statue of Lohia with Ganga-jal (water) shortly after Manjhi and his supporters paid tribute to the veteran leader. The self-styled student leaders, who threw away the marigold garland which Manjhi used to pay respect to Lohia, said that neither Manjhi was a Lohiaite nor did he believe in the Samajwadi “vichardhara” (Socialism).

JD(U) president Sharad Yadav was quick to reprimand those involved in the incident.
“Lohia is not our personal property. Anybody or everybody is free to pay him tribute,” Sharad, a staunch Lohia supporter, told a news agency. The ruling JD(U) in Bihar, which had expelled Manjhi, has sought a detailed report from the district administration about the incident.

“Anybody found guilty will be booked as per the law,” said  Bihar’s Water Resources Minister Vijay Choudhary here in the state capital.

Caught on the wrong foot, the RJD has, meanwhile, denied the party’s involvement in the incident. “We do not have any unit in Supaul. It’s quite possible that the BJP men might have indulged in such nefarious activity and put the blame on us to score some brownie points,” said RJD legislator Bhai Birendra. Notably, the RJD is split over supporting Manjhi in the forthcoming Assembly polls in view of the former CM turning out to be a Dalit icon in the state where 17 per cent marginalised sections (including Dalits and Mahadalits) play a decisive role in polls.

No wonder, the BJP too jumped in to Manjhi’s defence on Monday and blamed the RJD for showing Manjhi in poor light.

“Those who are showing utmost contempt towards Manjhi will have to face the music during elections,” said Nand Kishore Yadav,  senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Assembly.