The fiercest defenders of social justice can become fierce defenders of inherited privilege once the privilege becomes theirs. That uncomfortable truth lies at the heart of the latest battle over scheduled caste (ST) reservations. A spat has broken out between central ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi.
The former belongs to Bihar's politically powerful paswan caste, a.k.a. dusadhs. The latter from musahars, among the most wretched dalits. Manjhi wants sub-classification of dalits and elimination of the 'creamy' dalit layer to give the rest a better chance of getting prized educational and job quotas.
