PM Modi Warns Against Misusing ‘Jananayak’ Title, Criticizes RJD-Congress in Bihar

During the launch of youth-centric initiatives in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a blistering critique of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-Congress combine for what he described as the systematic devastation of the state’s education system two decades ago. Speaking via video conference from Delhi, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his cabinet in attendance at a grand event in Patna, Modi unveiled projects aimed at skilling, education, and entrepreneurship, including the Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University and revamped Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). He accused the opposition of reducing Bihar to a “mutilated leg” riddled with “germs,” while praising the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Kumar for restoring educational and economic vitality since assuming power in 2005.

Modi’s address was both a policy showcase and a political salvo, as he cautioned Bihar’s citizens against efforts to “steal” the revered “Jananayak” title—bestowed on socialist icon Karpoori Thakur—from being co-opted by opposition figures, notably Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the recent Vote Adhikar Yatra. He recounted the dire state of Bihar’s education system in the early 2000s, when erratic school and college operations, coupled with a near-total halt in teacher recruitments, forced families to send children out of state for education, fueling large-scale migration. “The NDA team worked tirelessly to bring the derailed system back on track,” Modi asserted, highlighting the establishment of premier institutions like IIT Patna’s expanded campus, NIT’s new facilities, and 19 new Kendriya Vidyalayas. He also celebrated Bihar’s transformation into a hub for national and international sporting events, a far cry from the days when playgrounds were scarce.

The centerpiece of the event was the inauguration of the Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University, designed to align vocational courses with emerging industry demands in sectors like IT, renewable energy, and manufacturing. Modi emphasized that the university, named after the Bharat Ratna recipient, embodies Thakur’s legacy of social justice through education. Additionally, the revamped Mukhyamantri Nishchay Svyam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana will provide a monthly allowance of ₹1,000 to five lakh graduates for two years, while new academic and research facilities were greenlit for four state universities, including the historic Patna University.

The PM Setu Scheme, aimed at modernizing ITIs with state-of-the-art infrastructure, was positioned as a linchpin for skilling Bihar’s youth—part of India’s youngest demographic—to meet global market needs. Modi noted that these initiatives build on the NDA’s record of connecting over 50 lakh youth to employment in Bihar over the past two decades, including 10 lakh permanent government jobs in recent years.

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The Prime Minister also highlighted fiscal measures to boost youth purchasing power, tying the initiatives to the festive season’s “GST Bachat Utsav.” He revealed that reduced GST rates on bikes and scooters have sparked enthusiasm among Bihar’s youth, with many planning purchases for Dhanteras. Financial incentives like the Student Credit Card scheme, offering interest-free education loans, and increased scholarships were touted as game-changers for higher education access. Modi framed Bihar’s progress within India’s broader economic ascent, noting that the nation has shed its “Fragile-5” label from pre-2014 days to emerge as a top-three global economy contender. He credited Nitish Kumar’s governance for multiplying Bihar’s education budget, enabling a network of technical institutions and schools across all 38 districts, a stark contrast to the RJD-Congress era’s neglect.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar echoed PM Modi’s optimism, underscoring the state’s focus on rule of law and inclusive development since 2005. He highlighted the creation of 50 lakh jobs over the past five years and ambitious plans to double that figure by 2030, alongside the launch of 11 youth welfare schemes, including the Youth Commission. The event, attended by Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Union Minister Lalan Singh, and JD-U working president Sanjay Jha, featured testimonials from beneficiaries who credited NDA policies for transforming their lives. As Bihar leverages its youthful demographic—over 40% of its 12.5 crore population is under 25—these initiatives position the state as a linchpin in India’s nation-building narrative, though political sparring over Thakur’s legacy signals intensifying battles ahead of the 2025 assembly polls.

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