KKN Gurugram Desk |  In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, Dalit Rights Forum leader Manish Paswan has officially joined the Indian National Congress. The membership ceremony was held at the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) headquarters in Patna in the presence of state party president Rajesh Ram and Gujarat Congress working president and MLA Jignesh Mevani.

Paswan’s entry is being viewed as a strategic move by the Congress party to broaden its support base among marginalized and Dalit communities in Bihar, a state where caste politics continues to play a pivotal role in electoral outcomes.

Event Highlights: Key Political Leaders Present

The joining event was attended by several prominent Congress leaders from Bihar and other states, including:

• Rajesh Ram – President, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee

• Jignesh Mevani – Working President, Gujarat Congress & Dalit activist

• Dr. Shakeel Ahmad Khan – Senior Congress leader

• Ratan Lal, Jitendra Gupta, Praveen Singh Kushwaha, Manjit Anand Sahu, Shakeelur Rahman, Brajesh Prasad Munan, among others

 Who Is Manish Paswan? A Voice for Dalit Rights

Manish Paswan, a youth leader from the Dalit Adhikar Manch (Dalit Rights Forum), has been known for his grassroots activism in Bihar, particularly in uplifting marginalized voices and fighting caste-based discrimination. Over the past decade, Paswan has gained recognition for organizing rallies, social justice campaigns, and public outreach programs focused on the rights and development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

In his address at the event, Paswan stated:

“The Congress party has historically stood by the Dalit community, not just in Bihar but across India. I was inspired by this legacy of inclusion and justice, which led me to join the Congress today.”

 Congress Reaffirms Its Commitment to Dalit Empowerment

Welcoming Paswan and his colleagues into the party fold, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram said:

“Manish Paswan is a young, dynamic leader who has dedicated his life to Dalit empowerment. His presence will strengthen the Congress’s social outreach, particularly among the deprived and marginalized communities.”

Ram emphasized that the Congress is working on a restructured Dalit strategy to regain ground in Bihar politics, where it has struggled in recent years amidst the rise of regional parties.

Jignesh Mevani’s Role: A Symbol of Progressive Dalit Politics

Jignesh Mevani, who himself rose to prominence as a grassroots Dalit activist from Gujarat before becoming a legislator, praised the Congress leadership for making social justice a central political issue. He said:

“Rahul Gandhi’s consistent commitment to protecting the rights of Dalits, Adivasis, and backward classes is resonating with youth leaders across India. The fact that people like Manish Paswan are choosing Congress shows that Dalit youth are seeing their future within the party.”

Mevani has been instrumental in mobilizing Dalit voices within the Congress, and his presence in Bihar signifies the party’s renewed focus on caste inclusion ahead of 2025 electoral challenges.

 Congress’s Strategic Push in Bihar: Aiming for Revival

Over the past two decades, Congress has seen a steady decline in its influence in Bihar, largely due to the rise of caste-based regional parties like RJD, JD(U), and LJP. However, with shifting demographics, youth engagement, and new social media strategies, the party is now trying to rebuild its cadre by focusing on inclusive politics and issue-based mobilization.

Manish Paswan’s induction is being seen as a symbolic step in this long-term revival strategy.

 Congress and Dalit Politics: A Historic Relationship

Historically, the Indian National Congress was seen as a broad-based party representing all castes and communities. However, over time, the perception of being disconnected from ground realities pushed Dalit leaders toward regional formations.

With leaders like Jignesh Mevani, Udit Raj, and others working within the party, Congress now aims to:

• Re-establish grassroots Dalit engagement

• Promote younger leadership from SC/ST communities

• Focus on issues like reservation in private sector, manual scavenging, education access, and land rights

The party has also launched Dalit Outreach Committees in multiple states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

 Statements from the Event: What Leaders Said

 Rajesh Ram, Bihar Congress President:

“With the inclusion of Manish Paswan and his team, our connection with Bihar’s deprived sections will deepen. The Congress party stands for equality, justice, and opportunity.”

 Jignesh Mevani, Gujarat Congress Working President:

“Congress is becoming the first choice for young Dalit leaders across the country. We must make sure their voices are heard and leadership is nurtured.”

 Manish Paswan, Dalit Rights Forum Leader:

“Congress has always respected the dignity of Dalits. I believe in its vision and will work to bring more youth from marginalized communities into the party.”

 Congress’s Bihar Plans: What Lies Ahead

As Bihar moves closer to its 2025 Legislative Assembly elections, the Congress is likely to:

• Launch a Dalit and Youth manifesto

• Host regional summits and Samajik Nyay Yatras

• Engage with student unions and university networks

• Promote candidates from marginalized communities

• Build alliances with like-minded secular parties

Sources close to the Congress high command suggest that Rahul Gandhi may also visit Bihar in the coming months to energize the party base and endorse new leaders like Manish Paswan.

Public Reactions and Political Impact

On social media, political observers and civil society members have welcomed the move, calling it a positive step towards empowering Dalit voices in mainstream politics. Hashtags like #ManishPaswan, #CongressDalitConnect, and #JigneshInBihar trended on Twitter regionally.

While some regional party leaders have downplayed the impact, others acknowledge that Congress’s ideological narrative is gaining traction with politically aware youth from backward and Dalit backgrounds.

The induction of Manish Paswan into the Indian National Congress marks more than just a routine political move — it is a strategic signal that the party is serious about reclaiming its space among Dalit communities in Bihar and beyond.

As caste and identity-based politics continue to dominate state and national conversations, Congress’s efforts to reinvent its Dalit strategy with young and dynamic leadership could prove to be pivotal for its electoral revival in the Hindi heartland.