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{{short description|Indian politician (born 1944)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = Jitan Ram Manjhi June 2024 cropped.jpg
| caption = Manjhi in June 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1944|10|06}}
| birth_place = [[Gaya district|Mahakar]], [[Bihar Province|Bihar]], [[British India]]
| residence = [[New Delhi]]| president = [[Droupadi Murmu]]
| alma_mater = [[Gaya College]]
| constituency1 = [[Gaya Lok Sabha constituency|Gaya, Bihar]]
| profession = Politician
| party = {{Party index link|Hindustani Awam Morcha}} (2015—present)
| otherparty = {{Party index link|Janata Dal (United)}} {{small|(2005—2015)}} <br /> {{Party index link|Rashtriya Janata Dal}} {{small|(1996—2004)}} <br /> {{Party index link|Janata Dal}} {{small|(1990—1996)}} <br /> {{Party index link|Indian National Congress}} {{small|(1980—1990)}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Shanti Devi|1956}}
| children = 7, including [[Santosh Suman Manjhi|Santosh Kumar Suman]]
| website =
| footnotes =
| date =
| year =
| source =
| order3 = 23rd
| office3 = Chief Minister of Bihar
| governor3 = [[Keshari Nath Tripathi]]
| term_start3 = 20 May 2014<ref
name=Stamp>{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/election-2014/i-m-no-rubber-stamp-says-nitish-kumar-s-successor-jitan-ram-manjhi-527345 | title=I'm No Rubber Stamp,' Says Nitish Kumar's Successor Jitan Ram Manjhi | publisher=[[NDTV]] | date=20 May 2014 | access-date=20 May 2014 | author=Ghosh, Deepshikha |place=Patna}}</ref>
| term_end3 = 22 February 2015<ref name="Toi2022015">{{cite web | title=Manjhi resigns as Bihar CM ahead of trust vote, says his supporters got death threats | website=The Times of India | date=2015-02-20| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/manjhi-resigns-as-bihar-cm-ahead-of-trust-vote-says-his-supporters-got-death-threats/articleshow/46310917.cms | access-date=2015-02-20}}</ref>
| predecessor3 = [[Nitish Kumar]]
| successor3 = [[Nitish Kumar]]
| deputy2 =
| office2 = Pro-tem Speaker of [[Bihar Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start2 = 19 November 2020
| term_end2 = 24 November 2020
| office1 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| term_start1 = 4 June 2024
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 = [[Vijay Kumar (Bihar politician)|Vijay Manjhi]]
| office = [[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises|Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises]]
| termstart = 10 June 2024
| 1blankname = [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]
| 1namedata = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor = [[Narayan Rane]]
| office4 = [[President (corporate title)|President]] of [[Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)]]
| predecessor4 = ''office established''
| successor4 = [[Santosh Kumar Suman]]
| term_start4 = 25 July 2015
| term_end4 = 26 April 2022
}}

'''Jitan Ram Manjhi''' (born 6 October 1944) is an Indian politician who is serving as the 15th [[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises|Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises]] since 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/PM-Modi-Gaya-rally-Much-at-stake-for-Manjhi/articleshow/48370800.cms|title=PM Modi Gaya rally: Much at stake for Manjhi|website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> He is currently a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] from [[Gaya Lok Sabha constituency|Gaya]] constituency and was [[Bihar]]'s 23rd [[Chief Minister of Bihar|Chief Minister]] from 20 May 2014 to 20 February 2015. He was the founding President of [[Hindustani Awam Morcha]] (HAM).<ref>{{Cite web |title=संतोष सुमन होंगे हम पार्टी के नये अध्यक्ष, जीतन राम मांझी ने बेटे को सौंपी अपनी राजनीतिक विरासत |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/bihar/patna/santosh-suman-be-the-new-president-of-ham-party-jitan-ram-manjhi-handed-over-legacy-asj |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=Prabhat Khabar |language=hi}}</ref> Previously, he had served as minister for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes welfare in [[Nitish Kumar]]'s cabinet. He has been a minister in several [[Bihar]] state governments, under multiple chief ministers like [[Chandrashekhar Singh]], [[Bindeshwari Dubey]], [[Satyendra Narayan Sinha]], [[Jagannath Mishra]], [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]] and [[Rabri Devi]].

Manjhi has been a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly since 1980. He was affiliated with several political parties, [[Indian National Congress]] (1980–1990), [[Janata Dal]] (1990–1996), [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] (1996–2005) and [[JD(U)]] (2005–2015).<ref name="Unattached">{{cite news | url= https://in.news.yahoo.com/jitan-ram-manjhi-resigns-as-bihar-chief-minister-052641796.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C5133431540 | title= Jitan Ram Manjhi resigns as Bihar chief minister | work=[[Yahoo! News]] | date=20 Feb 2014 | access-date=20 Feb 2014 |place=Patna}}</ref> He was expelled from JD(U) following the [[2015 Bihar political crisis|February 2015 political crisis]] and subsequently Jitan Ram Manjhi emerged as a major Dalit face in Bihar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/ram-vilas-dalit-face-wherever-you-go-manjhi-can-be-mahadalit-face/|title='Ram Vilas Dalit face wherever you go, Jitan Ram Manjhi can be Mahadalit face'|date=29 July 2015}}</ref> In May 2015, he announced the new political party, [[Hindustani Awam Morcha]]. In July 2015, Jitan Ram Manjhi was accorded "Z"-plus security cover by the Union Home Ministry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/bihar/story/bjp-jitan-ram-ranjhi-z-plus-vip-security-cover-bihar-polls-283538-2015-07-20|title=BJP government gives Jitan Ram Manjhi Z-plus VIP security cover}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-now-pappu-yadav-gets-y-category-security-2109312|title=Now, Pappu Yadav gets 'Y' category security|date=29 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Bureau|first=National|date=2015-07-21|title=Manjhi gets Z-plus security|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jitan-ram-manjhi-gets-zplus-security/article7444740.ece|access-date=2021-02-16|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Currently, he is the oldest minister in the third term of [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government after the winning of 2024 Lok Sabha election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Anand |date=2024-06-25 |title=Profile {{!}} Jitan Ram Manjhi: An Inspiring Journey From The Margins To Becoming Modi Cabinet’s Oldest Minister |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/jitan-ram-manjhi-profile-2024-lok-sabha-election-gaya-oldest-cabinet-minister-mahadalit/article68311415.ece |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=frontline.thehindu.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life==
Manjhi was born on 6 October 1944 in Mahakar village under Khijarsarai area in [[Gaya district]] of Bihar.<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference2">{{cite news |title=Jitan Ram Manjhi: The man of many U-turns looks to turn a corner |url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/jitan-ram-manjhi-profile-6724428/ |access-date=22 February 2021 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=15 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=Humble>{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/bihar/honest-humble-man-at-helm-mission-state-for-manjhi/cid/180077 |title=Honest & humble man at helm Mission state for Manjhi | work=[[Telegraph India]] |place=Patna | date=20 May 2014 | access-date=20 May 2014 | author=Kumar, Alok}}</ref><ref name=DNA/> His father Ramjit Ram Manjhi and mother Sukri Devi were farm labourers belonging to the [[Musahar]] community. He was tutored by an upper caste teacher after getting the permission of his upper-caste landlord until 7th class. After completing his graduation from [[Magadh University]], he worked at the Gaya telephone exchange for 13 years until his younger brother became a policeman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://qz.com/india/249633/the-story-of-jitan-ram-manjhi-from-rat-eater-to-bihar-chief-minister/|title=The story of Jitan Ram Manjhi, from rat-eater to Bihar chief minister|last=Kumar|first=Amitava|website=Quartz India|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref> He is married to Shanti Devi; the couple has two sons and five daughters.<ref name=Humble/> One of his sons, [[Santosh Kumar Suman|Santosh Suman Manjhi]], is an [[Bihar Legislative Council|MLC]].<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference2" />

==Political career==

=== Indian National Congress ===
Jitan Ram Manjhi entered politics in 1980.<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference1">{{cite news |title=Won't Join Nitish Kumar Cabinet, Says Rival-Turned-Ally Jitan Ram Manjhi |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/wont-accept-ministerial-berth-jitan-ram-manjhi-after-meeting-with-party-mlas-2324474 |access-date=22 February 2021 |publisher=NDTV.com |date=13 November 2020}}</ref> On the ticket of the [[Indian National Congress]] party, he contested and won the assembly elections from the Fatehpur segment in Gaya district. He became a minister for the first time in the [[Chandrashekhar Singh]]-led government in [[Bihar]]. He won from the same constituency in the 1985 election, but lost in 1990. Between 1980 and 1990, he served as a minister of state in successive cabinets headed by Congress chief ministers [[Bindeshwari Dubey]], [[Satyendra Narayan Sinha]] and [[Jagannath Mishra]].<ref name=Humble/><ref name=DNA>{{cite web | url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-only-nitish-kumar-could-have-thought-of-projecting-a-mahadalit-as-the-chief-minister-jiten-ram-manjhi-1989901 | title=Only Nitish Kumar could have thought of projecting a Mahadalit as the chief minister: Jiten Ram Manjhi | work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |place=Patna | date=19 May 2014 | access-date=20 May 2014 |author=Brijam Pandey}}</ref>

=== Rashtriya Janata Dal ===
Immediately after losing the 1990 election, Manjhi switched to the [[Janata Dal]].<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference1" /><ref name="Jiten Ram Reference2" /> But when the Janata Dal split in 1996 and [[Laloo Prasad Yadav]] formed his own [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]], Manjhi moved to the RJD<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference1" /> under Yadav and won the [[Barachatti]] seat in the 1996 by-election (the previous incumbent [[Bhagwati Devi]] had left this seat to become a Member of Parliament from [[Gaya (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gaya constituency]]). In the following election in 2000, he again won the same seat on an RJD ticket.<ref name=Humble/>

From 1996 to 2005, Manjhi was a minister in the RJD state government in Bihar, first under the chief ministership of Yadav himself, and then under [[Rabri Devi]], Yadav's wife who took the chair of CM after Yadav himself was convicted and jailed for the [[Fodder Scam]].<ref name=Humble/>

=== Janata Dal (United) ===
When Yadav's RJD lost the [[October 2005 Bihar Legislative Assembly election|October 2005 elections]] to the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]-[[Janata Dal (United)]] [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] coalition, Manjhi switched loyalties to the JDU.<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference1" /> He won the election from Barachatti putting behind Samta Deva of his previous party RJD.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.empoweringindia.org/new/constituency.aspx?eid=154&cid=236 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519185259/http://www.empoweringindia.org/new/constituency.aspx?eid=154&cid=236 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=19 May 2014 | title=Bihar Assembly Election 2005 – Barachatti (236) | access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref>

However, Manjhi was asked to resign immediately on the next day when his involvement in a corruption scam surfaced. Manjhi was involved in a fake [[B.Ed.]] degree racket in Bihar as the state education minister in the RJD government during the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/printitem.aspx?337416 |title=Bihar minister quits over graft charges |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=25 November 2005 |access-date=19 May 2014 |place=Patna |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519190034/http://news.outlookindia.com/printitem.aspx?337416 |archive-date=19 May 2014 }}</ref> As a junior minister in the [[Rabri Devi]] government, he was alleged to have given illegal permissions to institutes to run fake degree courses.<ref name=Humble/> He was later re-inducted in the state government cabinet by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2008 after having absolved of the charges.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080518/jsp/jharkhand/story_9284921.jsp | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140519140206/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080518/jsp/jharkhand/story_9284921.jsp | url-status=dead | archive-date=19 May 2014 | title=Minister resigns in graft case probe | work=[[Telegraph India]] | date=18 May 2008 | access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref>

During the 2008 food crisis in Bihar, Manjhi promoted eating [[rat]]s as they caused damage to food grains and as rats and chickens had "equal food values, not only in terms of protein, but in all areas of nutrition".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/india-s-outcasts-turn-to-rat-farming-1.525590/ | title=India's 'outcasts' turn to rat farming | work=The National | date=31 December 2008 | access-date=19 May 2014 | author=Hannah Gardner}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20Nation&sectid=4&contentid=200808192008081904302444bafa0f7e |title=Food crisis? Try rat, says minister |work=Ahmedabad Mirror |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=19 August 2008 |access-date=19 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207235844/http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?page=article |archive-date= 7 December 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bihar-pushes-rats-on-the-food-menu/71714-3.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519204122/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bihar-pushes-rats-on-the-food-menu/71714-3.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=19 May 2014 | title=Bihar pushes rats on the food menu | publisher=[[IBN Live]] | date=21 August 2008 | access-date=19 May 2014 | author=Kumar, Prabhakar}}</ref> Rat catching is common with people of the Musahar community to which Manjhi belongs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/In-Bihars-Gaya-it-is-manjhi-vs-manjhi-vs-manjhi/articleshow/33091687.cms | title=In Bihar's Gaya, it is manjhi vs manjhi vs manjhi | work=[[Times of India]]| date=2 April 2014 | access-date=19 May 2014 | author=Qadir, Abdul}}</ref>

In the 2010 Bihar elections, he was elected to state legislative assembly from [[Makhdumpur Assembly constituency|Makhdumpur]] in [[Jehanabad district]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://myneta.info/bih2010/candidate.php?candidate_id=1917|title = Jitan Ram Manjhi(Janata Dal (United)(JD(U))):Constituency- Makhdumpur (SC)(JAHANABAD) - Affidavit Information of Candidate}}</ref> After Kumar split his party [[Janata Dal (United)]] from the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] to oppose coalition leader [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s prime ministerial candidate [[Narendra Modi]], Manjhi contested from [[Gaya (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gaya]] but lost heavily and came a poor third behind winner Hari Manjhi (BJP) and Ramji Manjhi (RJD).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/jeetan-ram-manjhi-sworn-in-as-bihar-chief-minister/473118-3-232.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520220434/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/jeetan-ram-manjhi-sworn-in-as-bihar-chief-minister/473118-3-232.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=20 May 2014 | title=Jeetan Ram Manjhi sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister | publisher=[[IBN Live]]| date=20 May 2014 | access-date=20 May 2014}}</ref>

== As Chief Minister ==
Manjhi was once considered as a close confidant of Bihar present CM and JDU supremo [[Nitish Kumar]], but is not known for his administrative skills.<ref name=Stamp/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nitish-kumars-close-aide-jeetan-ram-manjhi-named-new-bihar-chief-minister/472890-37-64.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519185003/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nitish-kumars-close-aide-jeetan-ram-manjhi-named-new-bihar-chief-minister/472890-37-64.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=19 May 2014 | title=Nitish Kumar's close aide Jeetan Ram Manjhi named new Bihar chief minister | publisher=[[IBN Live]] | date=19 May 2014 | access-date=19 May 2014 | author=Kumar, Prabhakar}}</ref> Following the JDU's poor showing in the [[2014 Indian general election|2014 general election]], Kumar accepted responsibility for the defeat and resigned. Manjhi, minister for SC and ST welfare in Nitish's cabinet,<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference2" /><ref name="Jiten Ram Reference3">{{cite news |last1=Mammen |first1=Matthew |title=Jitan Ram Manjhi, protégé who tried to be a man on his own |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/jitan-ram-manjhi-protege-who-tried-to-be-a-man-on-his-own/story-gJKaqgdFgmWueC7O68D3ML.html |access-date=22 February 2021 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=20 February 2015 |language=en}}</ref> replaced him as the 23rd [[List of Chief Ministers of Bihar|Chief Minister of Bihar]].<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference2" /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dalit-leader-jitan-ram-manjhi-to-be-new-cm-of-bihar-1989798 | title=Dalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi to be new CM of Bihar | work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] | date=19 May 2014 | access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref> Manjhi's promotion, despite his loss in the general elections to the [[Lok Sabha]] and a miserable third-place finish in [[Gaya (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gaya]], has been criticized in the media for being a cynical political ploy of Kumar deliberately choosing a puppet whom he could control as well as to rouse casteist emotions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/editorial/nitish-kumars-gambit-is-based-on-arithmetic/articleshow/35399178.cms | title=Nitish Kumar's gambit is based on arithmetic | work=[[The Economic Times]] | date=21 May 2014 | access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref> Opposition leader [[Sushil Kumar Modi]] of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] called Manjhi a "dummy chief minister", to which Manjhi responded by saying he was "not a rubber stamp."<ref name=Stamp/> But after taking oath on 20 May 2014, Manjhi stated that he would "continue to seek guidance from Nitish Kumar."<ref name=Stamp/> Due to the breakup of the JDU from the BJP-led NDA and the desertion of some JDU MLAs, CM Manjhi's government faced instability and appeared unlikely to pass the trust vote in the state legislative assembly. However, [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]]'s RJD and [[Sonia Gandhi]]'s Congress party provided outside support to Manjhi because he belongs to a backward caste.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rjd-announces-support-for-jitan-ram-manjhis-jdugovernment-193963-2014-05-22 | title=Foe to friend: Lalu's RJD backs JD-U govt in Bihar | work=[[India Today]] |place=Patna | date=22 May 2014 | access-date=30 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-05-22/news/50030173_1_trust-vote-lalu-prasad-yadav-ramai-ram | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531110532/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-05-22/news/50030173_1_trust-vote-lalu-prasad-yadav-ramai-ram | url-status=dead | archive-date=31 May 2014 | title=Lalu's RJD announces support to Jitan Ram Manjhi's JD(U) government in Bihar | work=[[The Economic Times|Economic Times]] | date=22 May 2014 | access-date=30 May 2014}}</ref>

After ten months, the party asked him to resign to make way for Nitish Kumar to return as the Chief Minister. He refused and was expelled from the party for refusing on 9 February 2015, resulting in a [[2015 Bihar Political Crisis|political crisis in the state]].<ref name=Expelled>{{cite web | url=http://www.abplive.in/india/2015/02/09/article497059.ece/Manjhi-expelled-from-JDU | title=Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi expelled from JD(U) | work=[[ABP Live]] |place=Patna }}</ref> The governor asked Manjhi to seek a [[vote of confidence]] on 20 February 2015, the first day of budget session of assembly.<ref name="NDTV52015">{{cite web | title='Scripted in Delhi,' Alleges Nitish Kumar After Bihar Governor Gives Jitan Ram Manjhi Another Chance | website=NDTV | date=12 February 2015 | url=http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/scripted-in-delhi-alleges-nitish-kumar-after-bihar-governor-gives-jitan-ram-manjhi-another-chance-738991 | access-date=13 February 2015}}</ref> BJP announced it would support Manjhi but Manjhi was short of numbers he needed to prove the majority.<ref name="Singh 2015">{{cite web | last=Singh | first=Sanjay | title=Win or lose: Bihar's Nitish vs Manjhi war is more about prestige than politics | website=Firstpost | date=19 February 2015 | url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/win-or-lose-bihars-nitish-vs-manjhi-war-is-more-about-prestige-than-politics-2109779.html | access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref> On 20 February 2015, Manjhi resigned from the post of Chief Minister in morning before vote.<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference2" /> He told that the legislators who supported him were threatened with death and the speaker of assembly did not allow a secret ballot so he chose to resign. He said that the people of the state are watching these politicians and will show them the power of democracy.<ref name="Toi2022015">{{cite web | title=Manjhi resigns as Bihar CM ahead of trust vote, says his supporters got death threats | website=The Times of India | date=2015-02-20| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/manjhi-resigns-as-bihar-cm-ahead-of-trust-vote-says-his-supporters-got-death-threats/articleshow/46310917.cms | access-date=2015-02-20}}</ref>

In 2015, after resigning from the post of Chief Minister, Manjhi split and set up his own party, the Hindustan Awam Morcha-Secular(HAM-S) and joined BJP led NDA.<ref name="Jiten Ram Reference2" />
== As Minister ==
Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, reached Parliament for Modi cabinet Oath Ceremony. He took the oath of ministerial office and secrecy. He won the elections from Gaya constituency in Lok Sabha Election 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2024 |title=Jitan Ram Manjhi reached Lok Sabha for the first time at the age of 79, joined the cabinet. |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/bihar/jitan-ram-manjhi-oath-ceremony-as-mp-nda-government-lok-sabha-election-2024-axs |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Prabhat Khabar}}</ref>

==Controversies==
During a speech in a meeting of Bihar State Foodgrain Businessmen's Association, Manjhi commented that his government is ready to forgive allegations against small-scale traders that indulge in black marketing and hoarding of food grains.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 3, 2014|title=Bihar CM says hoarding, black marketing by small traders not crimes|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bihar-cm-jitan-ram-manjhi-hoarding-black-marketing-small-traders-not-crime-206971-2014-09-03|access-date=2021-02-16|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> He defended their action by adding that small-scale hoarding by these traders as a means to provide sustenance to their families and education to their children, both of which, in his view, were "noble causes." Widely criticised by the Indian media as "shocking," the comment came at a time when soaring prices of essential commodities were exacerbating India's [[food inflation]], which the credit rating agency Moody's attributed to "structural problems that have widened the gap between demand and supply of food".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kala|first=Anant Vijay|date=2014-08-28|title=Moody's: Persistent Inflation Constraining India's Rating|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/moodys-persistent-inflation-constraining-indias-rating-1409217444|access-date=2021-02-16|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

In 2021, he faced controversy for giving controversial remarks insinuating that Brahmins were foreigners.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-23|title=जीतन राम मांझी के निशाने पर फिर से ब्राह्मण, बोले- एक नहीं सैकड़ों बार कहूंगा अपशब्द|url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/bihar/patna-former-cm-of-bihar-jitan-ram-manjhi-abused-brahmin-community-once-again-bramk-3914419.html|access-date=2021-12-23|website=News18 हिंदी|language=hi}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Biography|Politics|India
}}
*[[List of politicians from Bihar]]
* [[Third Modi ministry]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20160109210645/http://jitanrammanjhi.co.in/}} (archived)
* {{Facebook|JRManjhi |Jitan Ram Manjhi }}

{{S-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Nitish Kumar]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief Minister of Bihar]]|years=20 May 2014 – 20 February 2015}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nitish Kumar]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Chief Ministers of Bihar}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Manjhi, Jitan Ram}}
[[Category:Chief ministers of Bihar]]
[[Category:Janata Dal (United) politicians]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Bihar]]
[[Category:Bihar MLAs 2015–2020]]
[[Category:Bihar MLAs 2010–2015]]
[[Category:Bihar MLAs 2005–2010]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Bihar]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Janata Dal politicians]]
[[Category:Hindustani Awam Morcha politicians]]
[[Category:Janata Dal politicians]]
[[Category:People from Gaya district]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2014 Indian general election]]
[[Category:Bihar MLAs 2020–2025]]
[[Category:Magadh University alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:India MPs 2024–2029]]

Jitan Ram Manjhi - Revision history

CleanupBot at 07:07, 22 March 2026