One of the most populous and economically backward states of India — Bihar — soon goes to polls. The state is dealing with floods, violence, and unemployment, accentuated by the return of migrant labourers. But these don’t qualify as election issues here. Bihar is obsessed with the death of its ‘son’ Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput and the alleged role his partner Rhea Chakraborty played in it. The Bihari asmita has, once again, taken precedence over the pressing issues of the day and politicians, from Modi to Nitish, are loving it.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “DNA” remark in the 2015 assembly election didn’t go well with the Biharis. This time, Modi is playing his cards well. In the past eight months, he has mentioned Litti-Chokha, Chhath Puja and the valour of ‘Bihari’ in the Galwan Valley. What happened to the Rs 1.25 lakh crore package? The PM has given it a pass. He has learnt well from his coalition partner and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar — honor the identity of Biharis and the votes shall fall in the ‘right’ boxes.
Biharis are hurt and demanding ‘justice for Sushant’, but what about ‘justice for Bihar’? A generation of politicians have, for decades, done to the state gross injustice in terms of governance, but sadly that’s not important for the average voter when he goes to the hustings. Here is a list of issues that doesn’t offend Biharis.
Also read: In poll year, Nitish is already under fire for Covid handling, now he has to tackle floods
‘Atmanirbhar’ students
Few can forget Ruby Ray, the Bihar board exam topper, whose TV interview had gone viral for not being able to answer basic questions. Ruby was charged with cheating and forgery. The case is a reflection of a corrupt education system that has lost its credibility nationally and promotes the culture of ‘fraud’.
The state of higher education is no different — the academic calendar of some universities is perennially delayed and many students are not able to complete the course in time. From primary to post-graduation, the system is marred by inefficiency, corruption and zero vision. Here, students are Atmanirbhar.
Also read: Sushant Rajput death is BJP’s chance to finish brand Aaditya Thackeray, after Rahul Gandhi
Burden of dowry deaths
According to the National Crime Records Bureau 2017 data, Bihar had the second highest number of dowry deaths and murders in India. The NCRB data for 2012, 2013 and 2014 also puts Bihar in the second spot for achieving this ignominious feat. Such heinous crimes against women are committed in seemingly normal families, the god- fearing families, and educated families.
Also read: Only Lalu Prasad Yadav could have stopped Mandir politics again. BJP must be relieved
The curse of caste
The Total Revolution of Jayaprakash Narayan, which dismantled the mighty Indira Gandhi government, has its roots in Bihar. Arvind Das writes in his book — Republic of Bihar — that the ‘revolution’ had started after fights over ‘free cinema tickets’. Apparently, it was at the booking window of a theatre where the revolution started. And from this revolution, emerged leaders who have ruled Bihar since — Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan, among prominent ones, are all a product of that era.
Interestingly, the politics of Bihar has looked like a Bollywood film since then. Milan Vaishnav, in his book, When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics, writes that a criminal has more chances of winning an election. In Bihar, crime and criminals dictate politics.
Also read: For Patna being the dirtiest in India, the blame is on all—from Lalu Yadav to Nitish Kumar
Frankenstein floods
During Monsoons, half of Bihar gets drowned almost every year. The lines by Phanishwar Nath Renu, written more than 50 year ago on floods, still ring true. Don’t forget that immortal picture of Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi stranded on the road, in his shorts. It tells you the broad picture of floods. Apart from nature’s fury, years of poor urban planning is a big reason for the annual pain. So, it is also man made.
The IAS pride vs illiteracy
Since 2010, the number of IAS/IPS candidates from Bihar qualifying the exam have gone down. But on social media, people from Bihar continue to take pride in the laurels of the past. They forget the fact that Bihar lies at the last rung of literacy in India. The state did not take advantage of the Green revolution, economic liberalisation, or the IT boom.
Public transport
The state has forgotten that it is the duty of the government to provide public transport. But the Bihar government doesn’t feel the need. Poor public transport affects everything — from education, to economy, to healthcare. We often see visuals from Bihar, in which pregnant women are being carried on khaat, bicycle etc.
Jungle Raj 2.0
It seems that the ‘Jungle Raj’ has stuck with Bihar. In 15 years of Nitish Kumar’s rule, things haven’t improved much. The Jungle Raj stays no matter who is the chief minister. You become a CM but the Raj goes by the rules of the jungle. What else should you expect when the state’s deputy chief minister pleas to the criminals to ‘not do any crime in Pitri Paksha’.
Glorification of vulgarity
The Bhojpuri language has been kept hostage to vulgar songwriters and singers. They have the tendency to use any opportunity to make a vulgar song — be it corona, NRC, CAA, Sushant case, China, or Pakistan. You name it. The language couldn’t become a medium of education, and hence lost its academic glory.
Loss of political ideologies
Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan opposed Narendra Modi on secularism-communalism debate over the 2002 Gujarat riots. However, both are Sugriv and Vibhishan to Modi now. Politics of Jeetan Ram Manjhi is also not clear. He has tried all possibilities. Congress has been out since the 1990s. BJP, too, is not trying its Hindu-Muslim polarsiation in the state. It clearly suggests that Bihar is largely secular, but there is political void.
Also read: All parties promise ‘achhe din’. But only BJP has the 3 Ms that make it stand apart
Past won’t last
Arvind Das writes that Biharis once petitioned to rename Patna as Patliputra. Patliputra was founded by Ajathshatru who had killed his father Bimbisara. This explains the identity crisis of Biharis, in which, a feudal fratricidal historical man becomes a hero. But they are not finding their heroes in those who have brought social and cultural changes in Bihar. Their glorification of feudalism keeps the social morale down.
When a state is so rooted in feudalism, identity and caste, it becomes difficult to rise for change. The continuity appears to be the most comfortable option and any change is considered an attack on identity.
Bihar doesn’t seem to have learned from Gautam Buddha, who peacefully revolted against Brahiminical practices and feudal system, and showed a new light to the world. The people of Bihar seem to be submerged in practices that the Buddha abhorred. This could be a reason why they are not asking for a fair deal from their politicians.
Buddha must be laughing.
Views are personal.