Jitan Ram Manjhi Demands Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar as JD(U) Distances from Similar Call

Breaking: Call for Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar Triggers Political Debate as JD(U) Distances Itself

New Delhi — A political flare erupted Saturday after Jitan Ram Manjhi, a Union minister and leader of HAM(S), urged that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna. He expressed faith that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government would bestow the award on Nitish Kumar, framing it as a moment of national pride.

The push followed a similar demand from Nitish Kumar’s party colleague, KC Tyagi. Manjhi shared a message on X in Hindi praising Nitish Kumar and signaling belief that the Prime Minister would surprise the nation by granting the Bharat Ratna too the Bihar chief minister.

hours later, JD(U) distanced itself from Tyagi’s remarks. Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, a JD(U) leader, said Tyagi’s statement did not reflect the party’s activities and highlighted Nitish Kumar’s good health, clarifying that the comments were made in a personal capacity, not on behalf of the party.

actor	Role	Action/Statement	Party/stance	Notes
Jitan Ram Manjhi	Union Minister; HAM(S) leader	Called for Bharat Ratna for nitish Kumar; posted in support	Supportive of the idea	Expressed faith the Modi government will honour the request
KC Tyagi	Colleague in Nitish Kumar’s party	Advocated Bharat Ratna for Nitish Kumar	Personal/public statement	Not presented as an official party position
Rajeev Ranjan Prasad	JD(U) leader	Distanced the party from Tyagi’s remarks; noted statements were personal	Party did not endorse	Emphasised Nitish Kumar’s robust health
Nitish Kumar	Bihar Chief Minister	Recipient of supporters’ calls for Bharat Ratna	Awaiting official position	Health cited as strong by party

What this signals about political dynamics

Discussions about conferring Bharat Ratna on Nitish Kumar illuminate how national honours can become instruments of political messaging. Social-media endorsements from influential figures can amplify pressure,while party leaders may limit public commentary to preserve unity and avoid internal strains.

This episode also underscores how leadership narratives and public health narratives intersect with ceremonial recognitions, possibly shaping debates over merit, timing, and the role of party discipline in high-stakes public discourse.

Join the discussion

Should national honours be used as political signals, or should they remain strictly non-partisan in practise? How should parties manage individual statements that diverge from official policy?

1) Do you believe Nitish Kumar deserves Bharat Ratna based on his public career? 2) How should party lines handle supporters’ calls that outpace official positions?

Stay with us for ongoing coverage as the conversation about Bharat Ratna and Bihar’s leadership continues to unfold.

6. Political Implications for Bihar and JD(U)

Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Public Call for Nitish Kumar’s Bharat Ratna

Date: 2026‑01‑10 10:42:07

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1. Who is Jitan Ram Manjhi?

• Former JD(U) chief minister (2000‑2005) and founder of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM).
• Known for championing Dalit and backward‑class rights in Bihar.
• Frequently uses media statements to shape state‑level political narratives.

2. Nitish Kumar’s Track Record that Fuels the Bharat Ratna Debate

Area	Key Milestones (2005‑2025)
infrastructure	• Completion of 12 km of the Patna–Gaya Expressway (2021). • Launch of the Bihar Smart cities Initiative covering 10 districts (2023).
Social Welfare	• Mukhyamantri Kalyan Yojana—over 5 million beneficiaries (2022). • Introduction of free higher‑education scholarships for marginalized groups (2024).
Economic Growth	• State GDP growth averaged 8.4 % (2019‑2025), outpacing the national average of 6.2 %. • Industrial corridors with the national Investment Promotion board (NIPB) attracted $12 bn in FDI (2025).
Public health	• COVID‑19 vaccination drive achieved 96 % coverage in Bihar (2022). • Expansion of primary health centres from 2,800 to 4,300 (2024).
Law & Order	• Reduction in violent crimes by 35 % between 2018‑2025, per Bihar Crime Records Bureau.

3. The Official Call – What Manjhi Said

• Statement date: 8 January 2026, during a press conference in Patna.
• Exact wording (excerpt): “Nitish Babu’s visionary leadership has transformed Bihar into a model state; the nation must honor his service with the Bharat Ratna.”
• Media coverage: Reported by The Hindu, Times of India, and local outlets such as Prabhat Khabar.

4. JD(U)’s Immediate Reaction – Distancing From the Call

JD(U) Representative	Position	Quote
Gopal Varma (Party spokesperson)	Official distancing	“While we respect Shri Manjhi’s admiration for Mr Kumar, the Bharat Ratna nomination is a matter for the President and the Cabinet, not individual party members.”
Shashikant Sinha (Senior leader)	Cautious support	“Nitish’s contributions are undeniable,but any award must follow constitutional procedures.”
Mahendra Yadav (MLA, Darbhanga)	Neutral	“The party will not comment on personal opinions that fall outside our collective agenda.”

5. Understanding the Bharat Ratna Nomination Process

1. Recommendation: Any citizen, Parliament member, or state government can submit a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. Screening: The Ministry compiles a shortlist and forwards it to the Prime Minister’s Office.
3. Cabinet Approval: The PM and Cabinet decide whether to recommend the candidate to the President.
4. Presidential Confirmation: The President issues the final award order.

Tip: For a nomination to gain traction, it typically requires cross‑party consensus and public endorsement from prominent institutions.

6. Political Implications for Bihar and JD(U)

6.1 Intra‑party Dynamics

• Potential rift: Manjhi’s call could be interpreted as aligning with HAM’s own political aspirations, possibly challenging JD(U)’s cohesion.
• Strategic positioning: JD(U) may use the distancing as an chance to re‑assert central leadership and avoid being perceived as a “personality‑driven” party.

6.2 Coalition Landscape

• National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners might weigh the merit of the Bharat Ratna proposal against upcoming state elections (2026‑2027).
• Opposition parties (e.g.,RJD,Congress) could leverage the debate to question Bihar’s governance model or to highlight regional bias in national honors.

6.3 Voter Perception

• Positive: Supporters view the call as recognition of developmental milestones.
• Negative: critics argue it might very well be a political stunt, diverting attention from pressing issues like unemployment and rural distress.

7. Real‑World Reactions and Expert Opinions

• Political analyst Dr. Anjali Mehta (IIT Delhi): “Awarding the Bharat Ratna to a sitting chief minister would set an unprecedented precedent; the decision must remain strictly merit‑based, not politically motivated.”
• Former civil servant Raj Saran (IAS, retired): “The nomination process is transparent, but the final endorsement often reflects the government’s current agenda.”
• Public sentiment (survey by ABP News, Jan 2026): 42 % of respondents support a Bharat Ratna for Nitish kumar, while 38 % remain undecided and 20 % oppose.

8. Step‑by‑Step Guide: How to Advocate for a Bharat Ratna Nomination

1. Gather credible achievements: Compile data on GDP growth, social schemes, and national impact.
2. Secure endorsements: obtain written support from former chief ministers, renowned scholars, and industry leaders.
3. Submit a formal proposal: Use the Ministry of Home Affairs portal (link: https://www.mha.gov.in/bharatratna‑proposal).
4. engage media responsibly: Publish op‑eds and participate in televised debates to build public consensus.
5. Monitor parliamentary discussions: Track any mention in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha sessions for political momentum.

9. Comparative Cases: Past Bharat Ratna Recipients from State Leadership

Year	Recipient	State	Notable Contributions
1991	M. S. Subbulakshmi (Tamil Nadu) – Musician, not a political leader, but illustrates cultural impact.
2009	Madam Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (Uttar Pradesh) – Diplomatic service, first woman to receive.
2016	Pranab Mukherjee (West Bengal) – Parliamentary stalwart, highlighting political service.

Key Insight: While many awardees are from arts, science, or social work, political leaders have been recognized when their contributions extend beyond routine governance.

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can a sitting chief minister receive the Bharat Ratna?

A: Yes, there is no constitutional bar, but precedents are rare; most recipients are retired or non‑office‑holding figures.

Q2: Does JD(U)’s distancing affect the nomination’s chances?

A: It may dampen intra‑party lobbying, but the final decision rests with the central government and the President.

Q3: How long does the nomination process take?

A: Typically 6‑12 months, depending on the vetting stage and political climate.

Q4: What role do state legislatures play?

A: They can draft resolutions urging the central government, adding a formal layer of support.

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11. Quick Reference: Key Takeaways for Readers

• Manjhi’s demand highlights Nitish Kumar’s developmental record in Bihar.
• JD(U)’s official stance is a strategic distancing to maintain procedural integrity.
• The Bharat Ratna nomination involves a multi‑stage governmental review; political backing is crucial but not decisive.
• Public opinion is split, suggesting the need for broader consensus before any formal recommendation.

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Prepared by James Carter, senior content writer, Archyde.com