A political controversy erupted in West Champaran district on Saturday after Bihar's dairy, fisheries and animal husbandry minister, Nand Kishore Ram, accused former Chief Minister Rabri Devi of refusing to vacate a government-allotted residence, allegedly because he belongs to the Dalit community.
Minister's Allegations
Addressing a press conference in Ramnagar, Nand Kishore claimed that the state government had allotted him accommodation on the same premises currently occupied by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, as he did not have an official residence earlier. However, he alleged that Rabri Devi had publicly stated she would not vacate the house.
Nand Kishore said he wanted to draw the attention of people across Bihar and the country to the issue, highlighting his social background and public role. “I request the entire Bihar and the entire country that I come from the Dalit community and was elected from the Ramnagar Assembly constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes,” he stated.
Community Insult Alleged
The minister, who serves as the dairy, fisheries and animal husbandry minister, expressed his dismay over the situation. “I feel she gave the statement ‘she will not vacate the house’ because I am a Dalit. That is the only reason, there is no other reason. My being a Dalit seems like a curse,” he said.
This incident has sparked a fresh political debate in the state, with the minister accusing the RJD leader of caste-based discrimination. The controversy is expected to intensify as both sides present their versions of the events.
About the Author: Dilip Kumar, our Bettiah Correspondent, has been working for print, television, and digital media for the last 20 years. He covers social, political, and crime news, and has a keen interest in wildlife stories. Based in Champaran, famous for Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Champaran Satyagrah,’ he has a special hold on news related to the Valmiki Tiger Reserve and the Indo-Nepal border.
