Jitan Ram Manjhi clarifies remark on inter-caste marriage; says words were misconstrued

Lashing out at the media for misconstruing his remark on inter-caste marriage, Bihar Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today clarified his statement.

Adding to it, he said that such wrong interpretation of the comment might prove fruitful for the business of the media but it can actually ruin his image.

"I said as dalits are a minority and community and are mismanaged and divided into various others castes so they should break it and increase their population by doing inter-caste marriages," said Manjhi.

"I further added that today their population is 17 percent but after this when a consensus will be done and a survey will happen then it will come out to be 22 percent and then they will get reservation benefits on this," he added.

He also said that the media portrayed his remark in a wrong manner due to which he had to face criticism and some ministers had even demanded his resignation.

Calling it poor journalism he said that had there been anyone else in his place, he would have filed a case but he didn't want to do so.

Earlier today, Manjhi fuelled criticism after he urged the Dalit community to increase their population by marrying outside their caste.