Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi criticized RJD national working president Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Tuesday over a verbal mistake during a tribute [1].
The dispute highlights the intense political friction in Bihar, where the legacy of local icons often becomes a flashpoint for rivalry between opposing parties [1].
The incident occurred in Patna, where Yadav was paying tribute to the late Dashrath Manjhi [1]. Dashrath Manjhi, widely known as the 'Mountain Man,' is a revered figure in the region for his lifelong effort to carve a path through a mountain to provide village access to medical care [2].
Manjhi, who is also the founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular, said that Yadav's slip of the tongue was a sign of disrespect toward the legacy of the late figure [1]. The Union Minister said that such errors undermine the dignity of a man who dedicated his life to public service [2].
While the specific words of the gaffe were not detailed in the reports, the reaction from Manjhi indicates a broader effort to frame the RJD leadership as disconnected from the cultural and historical symbols of Bihar [1]. The exchange took place amid ongoing political maneuvering in the state, where small verbal errors are frequently amplified to challenge the competence of political opponents [2].
Yadav has not issued a formal response to the criticism as of Tuesday [1]. The interaction underscores the sensitivity surrounding the memory of Dashrath Manjhi, whose story remains a point of pride for the state's working class [2].
“Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi criticized RJD national working president Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Tuesday over a verbal mistake during a tribute.”
This clash reflects the strategic use of symbolic politics in Bihar. By framing a linguistic error as a lack of respect for a folk hero like Dashrath Manjhi, Jitan Ram Manjhi is attempting to erode Tejashwi Yadav's appeal among rural and marginalized voters who view the 'Mountain Man' as a symbol of perseverance against systemic neglect.
