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.
But voters of Bihar have no option than to vote Nitish Kumar.People gave chance to RJD but within 2 years so many scams came in news.
I think we can not dream of a good future.
But voters of Bihar have no option than to vote Nitish Kumar.People gave chance to RJD but within 2 years so many scams came in news.
please, visit Bihar once and try to verify each and every points you mentioned .. just once , it’s a humble request
I must say it not about what Bihar and Bihari is about as you have tried to portrayed in the article.
But is important how a time being the sold media and opportunist are taking advantage of this in the name of justice either for SSR or Rehea in whatever means ??
People should not allow to criticize Bihar or Bihari with just of their limited means of knowledge and without knowing the fact of its history, rich culture, diversity and geographical situation.
There could be possibilities of that ones view could be different of others, but know one has right to express it’s personal views like a public view and directing it.
Your problem is not “sold” media.
Your problem is the entire state is sold to corruption.
No one is criticizing Bihar’s history or geography. But when it is a drain on the whole country’s resources because it cannot clean itself up, obviously the whole county will criticize its corruption and still backwards culture.
I am originally from madhubani district,Bihar but I have been raised in Siliguri, West Bengal
As my father is in bsf.
Bihar has a huge potential for organic farming, animal husbandry, pisciculture, agrobased industries as it is highly rain fed area. It can be home to service sector because of cheap availability of food,water, current.
What is the problem then ?
Ignorance, illiteracy, ego and arrogance and family feud . Current status of Bihar is actually projecting what’s going on in every household there. Mental slavery, identity crisis and hypocrisy of youths and rat race after clerical government jobs . Bullshit Macaulay education system
Why still blame Macaulay for this?
He died 160 years ago.
At some point people need to start taking responsibility for their lives rather than crying over some guy not even from your great great great grandfather generation.
Also most of Macaulay excuse is a myth.
U r rubbish biharis are god of urs go and search who is sunder pichai where is he from…. Dhoni
Sundar Pichai is from Tamil Nadu.
Did they teach you that he is from Bihar in your Bihari school?
This is just like cooking in proletical (political) science class in Bihar.
One of the mos biased articles and ever.
Never have I ever read an article where they called People of punjab as Punjabis, HP as pahadis, Harayan as haryanivis , but wasted no time in terming people of bihar as Biharis. Such a disgrace
Who said Bihar is backward? How many times you have visited Bihar? What you know of Bihar? Have you lived there? No, right? I have completed my schooling from there and I have seen the changes Bihar has undergone in these past 15 years.
You’re talking about “Corrupt Education System” prevalent there. Is it only prevalent there, not in other parts of the country? Well, we did complete our education on time, same goes with my siblings. Do you want to test our knowledge- come let’s have a debate on whatever topic you choose.
Yes, We, Bihari are obsessed with Sushant Singh Rajput’s case not only because he was a Bihari but moreover coz we can understand the pain that a middle class family go through in bringing up a child. We can relate with his family.
Yes, there are many problems in our state and we know how to handle them.
Moreover, Jyoti why don’t you write such interesting articles on the state where you’re born. Dowry deaths is a problem on Bihar, I agree and we will solve it, but concentrate on your state where still the women are considered “a piece of shit” and they are killed in their mother’s womb.
Disgusting
Who said Bihar is backward? How many times you have visited Bihar? What you know of Bihar? Have you lived there? No, right? I have completed my schooling from there and I have seen the changes Bihar has undergone in these past 15 years.
You’re talking about “Corrupt Education System” prevalent there. Is it only prevalent there, not in other parts of the country? Well, we did complete our education on time, same goes with my siblings. Do you want to test our knowledge- come let’s have a debate on whatever topic you choose.
Yes, We, Bihari are obsessed with Sushant Singh Rajput’s case not only because he was a Bihari but moreover coz we can understand the pain that a middle class family go through in bringing up a child. We can relate with his family.
Yes, there are many problems in our state and we know how to handle them.
Moreover, Jyoti why don’t you write such interesting articles on the state where you’re born. Dowry deaths is a problem on Bihar, I agree and we will solve it, but concentrate on your state where still the women are considered “a piece of shit” and they are killed in their mother’s womb.
You have blamed all segments of society like government, bureaucracy, student leaders, politicians. Why dont you hold the general population of Bihar responsible for their own condition!!!! Biharis may be individually brilliant but as a society, they are unable to rise above caste, religion, etc. In a society where economic stagnation prevails, Caste & religion will rule because that is the social support system in such an atmosphere. Bring industries, basic law & order, electricity, water management, infrastructure & you will automatically see people drifting away from their caste, religion allegiances.
Yes we get offended, because beta galat hai tumhara knowledge…kuch v bol doge ….to hojayega???? Ruko tum!
This is the only time I liked the article by the journalist. Extremely well written. There is nothing in Bihar or Biharis which doesn’t enunciate revulsion. They should stay in their own jungle raj and not infest the rest of the country. Sometimes I think Raj Thakrey is right, there should be one Raj Thakrey in every state of the country to drive Biharis out.
Please write about Kerela , Assam and bengal also..we alos wanted to know about these States……
Her knowledge won’t be enough to write about Kerala, as you can her knowledge is far worse than a 6 yr old when she wrote this article. Don’t give anything to this stupid person to write about my country and my people.
Expected from someone who’s typically unaware of everything in bihar. Desperate attempt by the foreign funded radical leftist newspaper, no wonder your ratings are going from despicable to miserable.
You are not proud of anything Miss Yadav, not your home state, not Indian Army and not India. Yours is a self centred journalism. Anyone with whom you don’t agree are all completely wrong according to you. But you are never wrong in any of your views and opinions.
How much have you been paid to write all this shit here?? Or are you one of the so called mumbain whose ego has been smashed because of bihar police exposing the drama that mumbai police was doing from last 66 days? Where has bihar came in it at all?
Dont you feel thankful that because this matter has been open up so much, a large scum of mumbai and your “lovely film industry” in going to be cleaned?
Just mind your words..You are a jaornalist and you should do neutral journalism. Criticising a state and its people reflects how much stereotyped you are towards Bihar.
This is not tolerable.
Bihar is the best state in India. ??
Biharis please do data study, instead of abusing the writer.
LOL. Let us study data. Then we will go and smoke a doobie each from money we earned from our comments. LOL.
Truth is bitter didi????
once a bihari… always Bihari
srry…
that’s fact , don’t even think of matching yourself with Mumbaikars
Nobody can match Mumbaikars.
Mumbaikar race is clearly superior to other races. Then comes Jyoti. Finally, rest of the people including poor Biharis.
It has been proven recently by research done by Raut school of haramkhor science.
So you are also a mumbaikar
And you are still stuck in the old caste system showing off your state’s high income??
Aachaaa tabhi??
For the last few days what have C.B.I and E.D and other agencies done? They have not found any irregularities in money laundering case or transferring of fund from Sushant’s account to Rhea’s account or other’s, they have not found Rhea guilty of murdering Sushant or at least helping in plotting the treason. To satisfy the demand of the purchased media agencies and BJP and Nitish Kumar’s political vandetta , the so called agencies have dug out the drug supplying case of 2018. What the hell they were doing from 2018???
I agree with you. Media is lying.
They have created fake whatsapp chats, shared them with each other and are showing it on TV.
CBI and ED is also involved in this racket.
There is no real proof of wrongdoing.
They are trying to divert publics attention from real issues like “What did kareen eat tonight”, or “What did sara ali khan wear yesterday”, or “How alia is the best actress ever born and nepotism has no role in this”. You get the point.
We must, as god loving citizens of this country, come together, and expose CBI and ED and protect the country from disaster.
I am with you bro
I was thinking the same. Every time I glance at an article by this publication it clearly favors Rhea. Biharis May have many more issues then Sushant’s murder case but reason to raise voice is very different. This was a pure simple coverup and people wanted to know why?
ye sab dalal hai Rajdeep ki tarah
Truly said
I thought I am the only one finding this article offensive n biased.
But every comment stating same
Also article written by single agency with some motive but I am sure all views are genuiun by real readers
This proves unite view of new Bharat, time has changed
Report this content I don’t want to see anything from The print any more. Shut Theprint.in
But that’s fact as well! Dont you agree ?
Well said Diksha ??
True said . Just wrote the shit not thinking anything. If you’re criticizing bihar police. Then what the bloody hell mumbai police did! Hide evidence and the post martum report also came fake. How much money did you received for this. I bet a lot!
Pointing out state’s long serving flaws isn’t a bad thing if you ask me. Criticism is the only things that pushes us towards growth. Bihar isn’t a desirable place to be in, all because of people like you who try to break every finger that’s pointed out towards the flaws of thier society and comfortably sneak in and take shelter within the flaws and HORRENDOUS practices that have been going on for decades.
I am a proud Bihari as well as Indian. But it’s very unfortunate that we live in our country where people like Jyoti Yadav roam freely among us, who thinks herself the master mind of journalism, and beneath the roof of fake The Print media tries to put false allegations on the fellow Indians. I want to meet this women once in my life.
Absolutely
This piece is absolute nonsense
Worst article ever so so demeaning. Are these Indians ,m
We may like it bad but it’s the bitter truth. This demeaning article should be taken in positive direction
By just saying we can’t escape Biharis have to prove themselves . They got to change and rise up shut peoples mouth forever because we can hide truth but surely fight it.
Now you dont feel that through this stupid article, you are generalising biharis..
Hahaha…………………koi jyoti ka jyot jalao………….Baby stop spreading fake news & diverting people………………
Good writing
Never seen such nonsense,cheap and utter rubbish article before……. The fact is that you are a paid journalist jyoti yadav
You talk like an idiot person . Bihar is good in some aspects as it has produced many heroes like Dr Rajendra Prasad and so many more. But overall the condition is not good but talking about Bihar with name of Sushant is just a foolish talk, saying these type of stuffs show how much narrow minded person you are. We humans originated from the jungle , it means we are junglee. Idiot guy talking shit about things , in bihar there are colleges and schools which are not best but okay and good. Here not everyone is illiterate and uneducated but many are literate and educated people.
Kehna kya chaahte ho bhai ? Firse tenth ka exam dekar aao, shayad dimaag aa jaye thoda. ?
Many thanks to the writer for choosing a topic on Bihar apart from SSR case. This is a wonderful depictation of the current situation in Bihar
Absolutely correct
Absolutely correct. But See only educated biharis are going to read and comment on this (obviously against) .. But others are getting to know why they are at the bottom… Sad part is nobody is ready to accept the truth.. so don’t feel bad about the bull shit coming your way… speak up the truth..
Every issue has its importance, but the way you are portraying looks like you are talking like Tej Pratap.. Tumhara bhai hota na Sushant k jagah tab samajh mein aata?
Yadhav writer maligns Nitish Govt in Bihar…enough said!
This is not a personal view of writer for sure.
It is indeed a political view just to influence the readers to get some political benefits. The writer of this post undoubtedly is not a independent writer, he might be a political leader or may be trying for it.
Another biased reporting…..
What you are talking about..you thing drug involvement of these people have nothing to do with the death..how much was paid for this article?
Not only bihar but whole country should be worried out these issues because these exit in every state in different proportions
Well said. Paid propaganda
You are right deepika
Worst news agency. Shut it down. And add a dislike button too to your articles. You will get to know how hated your news is.
True
Stop writing your stupid blog, connecting SSR death to Bihar politics
Forgetting SSR case will put an end to these problems.
Idiot writer.
Jack the Crapper – clearly paid comment
Well, even this had happened in any other state, the same campaign would have gone to give justice to himor her. What matters is justice to the one who suffered. Justice to his family. In Nirbhaya case, she too got justice, a long journey, now why don’t you say they were poor and had no role in raping the girl? Caste, gender, etc etc no education exists in every part of India, some comes to the notice, and some are still under the cover. If taking drugs is legal in India?? They are caught red handed, and if you think Sushant is the son of Bihar, then you’re absolutely wrong! He is Indian! He is the son of India! And justice must be given to the deceased. The family, whole India, needs a complete closure of the case. In the name of journalism don’t be so mean and biased that one day you will be lynched publically for your deeds!
Yes Jyoti, these things were happening in Bihar since many years , it didn’t happen all of a sudden when Modi came to power, Lalu Prasad looted the people of Bihar and today it’s in this state, so how is it even related to SSR’s murder and the drug kingpin Rhea Chakraborty. But let’s also talk about the glories of Mumbai- The underworld and mafia, drug cartel who forms a nexus with politicians and police officers, dark web, child trafficking, bollywood mafia linked to Dubai etc. So u see every state has got problems, u can’t blame Sushant Singh Rajput for the problems going on in Bihar and in case u think he had only Bihari fans, let me assure u, today fans from every corner of the world is fighting for him, in his own capacity he donated money for floods without any publicity, educated students, sent them to NASA, was starting an app for education and what not, looks like after his death, u also started getting more work bcoz now u can take a jibe at Biharis whenever SSR’s death is discussed, also u hv utilised his death to the full capacity to write articles to slander him and his family. U r also a Bihari, why r u not working to uplift the condition of the Biharis by helping them get an education, SSR did a lot for his village Purnia, what about u, looks like u are actually not concerned for Bihar nor it’s ppl, u r just an opportunist utilising SSR’s death to max capacity to further ur career. Also after Rhea is now accused to be in the middle of a drug cartel who not only consumes but also supplies drugs, looks like u r getting more rattled and nervous, what’s itching u so much just bcoz NCB started investigating, this shows ur true motive, u don’t want a drugs free society , u don’t want NCB to catch these crooks bcoz u want the children and youth of our country to get ruined by drugs.
What about people of Mumbai who pay so much of taxes & still have to face so much issues due to rainfall.No body asked BMC what they have been doing with the taxes.
SSR case also exposed the serious drug issue in Mumbai which is spoiling our youth so badly.The money from drugs is also going into funding of anti terror activities
Ms. Yadav’s take on Ajathshatru is quite interesting.
Ajathshatru indeed murdered his father Bimbisara in his quest for the throne. And Ms. Yadav rightly excoriates him and also those Biharis who glorify him.
But during the medieval era, especially during the Delhi Sultanate days, fratricide was the norm. Smooth yransition of power was a rarity. Would Ms. Yadav excoriate Muslims for that? Would she be willing to call out those who indulged in fratricide (almost everyone did with rare exception) during that era of Indian history?
Well.. damn journalist, you might be a supporter of congress or a fan rhea or both.
Perhaps the writer is also from Bihar. Seems like a failed UPSC Candidate and full of frustration. Knowing English is not literacy and you only know English and you have zero knowledge of other things.
Please go for councelling to reduce your frustration. Biharis are capable to deal with their problems. I am not from Bihar, but I know what is Bihar and who is a Bihari.
If you are not bihari then mind your own work okk. Why are poking your nose.
It’s bitter but hard truth. Very few Biharis are well-read and committed to honesty. They don’t have anything on their own state. Just complete the schooling and go to other state starting from higher study to job everything in order pollute that env as well. Yes Bhojpuri songs are quite vulgar and objectifying. How people watch those craps even I wonder!
I am a Bihari but I didn’t like your so called article what you think yourself from your point of view we should save rhea . Because may be you like her but for your kind information amongst these problems you forgot to mention the problem of Bihari like they feel alienated in India and one more thing you forget to mention people of other states in India also use Bihari word as a bad thing you also forgot to mention that how much the thackeray government hates Bihari oh I know why because may be u r paid by them to write this thing you also forgot to mention how difficult is to live in other state of India for Bihari people and then you people blame Australia and foriegn countries that they are not treating Indians properly when you people are doing the same things with Bihari’s . I hope you understand my word properly . And kindly stop saving a person like Rhea who deals in drugs and more if people didn’t care about SSR I think nothing will come out so stop caring about a bitch like Rhea and playing cards like she is a woman and all because it’s really stupid . If she is a woman she should behave like one.
Have you ever even read about Gautam Buddha, from your last para it seems you have no idea about Buddha’s life
The writer is illiterate, 90% of Vulgar songs are recorded and published in UP. BIHAR is not the only Bhojpuri speaking state. Hence Manoj tiwari, Ravi kishan none of them are from Bihar.
One things that should offend the print, it wasn’t the one to question the case.
Don’t try to change people s minds
There are so many good things in Bihar which you don’t know. Max no of graduate in india is from bihar. Buddhism has its root in bihar. There are 1000s of qualities so we don’t care abt these 10 demerits. Now everything is changing and this will also over ….
If you dont know everyhing about BIHAR please just please dont write these kind of things in a way that creates a lot of misconceptions to people all over the world
Most useless brain can think of this story and that ofcourse with the print
Lagta hai yadav ko reservation k baad bhi upsc nhi nikla, apni he baat kr rhi h, toh ghar m sandas nhi h kya, jo yahn hug rhe ho
Someone with an infinitesimally low IQ must have written this article.
Should Biharis stop questioning Rhea because they were born in an underprivileged state?
How are these two topic related? Rhea and Backwardness of Bihar.
Biharis have been living with this guilt trip all this while. And they don’t need a sulking B to know about the condition of Bihar.