New Delhi: Commenting on the larger issue surrounding the ‘Mandir-Masjid politics’ in the country, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that there are far more important issues that need attention than ‘digging up and trying to find [a] mandir or bits of [a] mandir’. 

In an interview with ThePrint, Paswan spoke at length on several issues, including the demand for a caste census and the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bills introduced in Lok Sabha Tuesday. He also expressed a desire to carve out more space for himself in Bihar politics.

Commenting on deaths of four youngsters during a protest against a court-ordered survey of  Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, he said, “I don’t know where this needs to stop but, honestly speaking, when it comes to me and my party … this is just not on my priority [list]”.

“I think we have far better issues, problems and concerns that need to be addressed rather than just going here and there and just digging up and just trying to find [a] mandir or bits of [a] mandir,” he added.

He, however, later qualified his statement by pointing out that he was not against those ‘digging’ ancient temples. “I don’t have anything against … somebody finding a mandir which is ancient. It’s good. I mean these things should surface. But then just to make this the ultimate agenda I’m not in that favor. There are way more important things that the government needs to deal with,” he said. 

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On caste census

On the demand for a caste census, Paswan said he favours it since specific data is needed for allocation of funds for community-based development schemes. He, however, added a caveat: the data should not be made public as it may create further division in society.

“I do believe that caste census should happen. I have my reasons to say that. I don’t believe in caste politics and I don’t want that through this there should be further division on the basis of casteism. But whether I believe or I don’t believe in the concept of casteism this is the reality and especially the state that I come from, (Bihar) where the politics is majorly dominated by the caste setup in my state,” he said.

The Opposition has been demanding a caste census with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi having promised to carry out the nationwide exercise if voted to power. The BJP has so far not made its position clear on the issue. Apart from Paswan, Nitish Kumar-led JDU—another ally of the BJP—has supported the demand for a caste census.

“I support it for a reason that there are a lot of policies drafted on the basis of caste for the upliftment of a particular caste. There are many policies at the central level and at the state level which get drafted so it is very important for governments to have that data of the population … what is the population of a particular caste,” Paswan told ThePrint.

Adding, “I do support that caste census should take place but, then yes, I’m not very much in favor of making it public because that just creates further division in society. I don’t think it’s necessary to make it public but government definitely should have this data.”

On Bihar politics

Expressing his desire to play a bigger role in Bihar politics, Paswan said he would like to contest the assembly elections in the coming future. 

Asked whether he would contest the 2025 Bihar elections, he said: “I want to. See eventually I’m very clear, unlike my father who was very clear that he always wanted to be in politics of the Centre, I’m very clear that I see myself more in state politics.”

However, Paswan was quick to qualify his statement, emphasising that that he is not in the race to be chief minister. 

“Having said that, I don’t want to start these controversies that I am aiming for CM-ship or that I’m thinking of forming a government by myself there. One thing is very clear that the coming election will be contested under the leadership of my current CM Nitish Kumar ji. He’ll be the face of the alliance. But, then yes, not 2025 but then [by] 2030 I think that will be the time I see myself shifting a little more strongly towards the state [Bihar].”

In the run-up to 2020 Bihar elections, Chirag Paswan’s party was accused by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being a “vote-cutter”. The party reportedly ended up damaging prospects of Nitish’s Janata Dal (United), in nearly 28 seats.

However, Paswan said things have changed drastically, adding that his ties with Nitish have improved. “Today I share an extremely good relationship with my chief minister.”

On ‘One Nation, One Election’

Paswan also expressed strong support for ‘One Nation, One Election’.

“My party and I strongly support the bill. We have always been voicing this idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’. I don’t think I need to repeat the merits of this because right from economics to the machinery deployment there are a lot of things you know when you go into elections one after the other.”

“Like recently, it’s not even six months back that we had a general election; immediately after that we were campaigning for Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir; immediately after that we were campaigning for Jharkhand and Maharashtra; and now we are gearing up for Delhi elections. Immediately after that we’ll be preparing for the Bihar election then the Assam elections. So the problem is that the growth gets hampered … the developmental agendas you know that gets hampered because of this,” he said.

Paswan, who is looking at expanding his party in other states, said the LJP (Ram Vilas) will also contest the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. “I’m looking forward to the Delhi elections. Talks are on between the alliance. Hopefully I’ll be given a few seats to contest in an alliance in Delhi if everything goes the way we are planning. I’m looking forward to the Punjab elections as well as the Uttar Pradesh elections in 2027,” he revealed.

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