The Bihar Legislative Council was adjourned till tomorrow after BJP legislators protested today over the washing of a statue of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia after former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi garlanded it in Supaul district of the state.
The BJP members also demanded strict action against the culprits who had committed such an act and sought a statement from the government over the issue.
MLC Mahachandra Prasad Singh first drew the attention of the House towards the issue and pointed out that washing the statue was an act of insult to Manjhi, who hails from a 'Mahadalit' caste (the lowest among the Scheduled Castes).
Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh tried get the normal business of the House transacted, asking Singh to table the issue formally, but by then the BJP legislators trooped into the Well raising slogans against the government.
"This is a very serious issue and a shameful one. All this is happening in the 68th year of Independence. The state government should answer why a Mahadalit is being insulted like this. They should also reveal what action has been taken on the issue," Bihar BJP President Mangal Pandey said in the House.
As the Chairman's appeal to the BJP MLCs to return to their seats fell on deaf ears, he adjourned the House till tomorrow noon.
Meanwhile, speaking at a public meeting in Purnia, Manjhi said washing the statue of Lohia after he garlanded it depicted, "Feudal mentality of such people and it was being done at the behest of some big leader of the state."
Though he refused to reveal the name of the leader, he added the intentions of such forces would be defeated by the people in the coming state elections.
