By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Tejashwi Yadav was frequently seen on the political stage, tying a Muretha and waving to the crowd. However, this image is set to change as the RJD leader has now distanced himself from the Muretha, and even the green Gamchha, which has become a symbol of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), no longer appeals to him. Instead, Tejashwi has instructed party leaders and workers to wear green caps and badges, replacing the traditional green Gamchha and Muretha.
This shift marks a departure from a directive issued in 2021 by RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav, who had called on party members to adopt the green Gamchha and cap as symbols of the party. Lalu had referred to the Gamchha as RJD’s ‘licence’. However, Tejashwi now finds his father’s vision outdated, as the image of the green Gamchha has become a political liability for him. Consequently, Tejashwi has opted to distance himself and the party from this emblem.
As Tejashwi Prasad Yadav prepares to embark on a tour of Bihar starting on 10th September, with his journey commencing in Samastipur, the RJD is actively reshaping its image. A set of special guidelines has been issued to party workers, which, among other directives, stresses the discontinuation of the green towel.
RJD state president Jagdanand Singh has issued 12 specific guidelines for Tejashwi Yadav’s ‘Karyakarta Samvad Yatra’. One prominent directive, listed as number 9, advises workers to prioritise wearing the party’s green caps and badges over the traditional green towel.
The guidelines also remind workers not to share confidential instructions issued by the party’s state office or disclose details of important meetings on social media. Additionally, workers have been urged to maintain decorum during Tejashwi’s visit. His interaction will be limited to invited workers at designated venues, and those who miss the dialogue will have the opportunity to meet him at the circuit house.
Opposition parties have seized upon this shift in the RJD’s image, seeing it as a political opportunity. JD(U) MLC and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar criticised the move, asserting that “Laluism” is an ideology, and questioning why the Gamchha, which symbolises the Bihari identity, has been discarded. He also noted its representation of the sentiments of the weavers and service to the workers. In his words, “RJD has turned the Gamchha into a Muretha. Gamchha culture has been insulted in politics with the lathi.”
Similarly, the BJP has condemned the change, associating the green towel with the era of ‘jungle raj’. BJP spokesperson Arvind Kumar Singh stated that the Gamchha represented a time of massacres, kidnappings, murders, and rapes. He suggested that Tejashwi is distancing himself from his father’s political image to avoid its negative connotations.
In response, RJD has denied these allegations. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed dismissed the controversy, stating that no such change had been made and accusing the opposition of exaggerating the matter. He emphasised that the party’s focus remains on serving the people.
Despite the controversy, RJD workers appear ready to comply with the new directives. Rajan Kumar Yadav, a resident of Raghopur and an RJD worker, acknowledged that while the Gamchha is still being issued, workers are now being provided with caps and badges. He noted that although the Gamchha is traditionally worn on the shoulder, some individuals wear it around the waist, which he considers disrespectful.
“We follow Tejashwi bhaiya’s instructions and will continue to do so. We will bring the caps and badges, as requested. However, many people misuse the Gamchha, so this change may be for the best,” he remarked.
