Bihar’s Tharu Tribe Fed Up with Nitish Kumar’s Inconsistencies
22.05.2024: Since taking office in 2005, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched numerous development projects worth crores in the terai region. However, his frequent political flip-flops and the imposition of prohibition have left the Tharu tribe disenchanted this election season.
Far from the bustling corridors of the Patna Secretariat, in the serene foothills of the Himalayas in Valmikinagar, lies Tharuhat. This region is home to the Tharu tribes, a community residing in the terai area along the Indo-Nepal border. Despite the development initiatives, Kumar’s inconsistent political maneuvers have frustrated voters of all ages within the Tharu community.
Tharuhat comprises around 300 villages within the 900 sq km Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve in Bihar’s West Champaran district. The Tharu population, approximately 3 lakh strong, mostly consists of forest dwellers with some engaged in agriculture. Recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in May 2003, the Tharus claim descent from Buddha, deriving their name from Theravada Buddhism.
Ghanshayam Rai, a vendor at the bi-weekly Friday market in Valmikinagar, expressed his discontent, stating, “We will not vote for Nitish Kumar. He is a turncoat and imposed prohibition on us.” Fellow vendor Gautam Mahto added, “Alcohol and Tharus cannot be separated. Some may vote for the RJD candidate, but not for Nitish Kumar’s candidate this time.”
In Kanbhushari village, Bagaha-2 block, where many young Tharus have migrated to other states for work, elders like Satyanarayan Mahto, 60, and Ramchandra Mahto, 62, voiced their support for the BJP, rejecting Kumar’s candidate. Despite being reminded of Kumar’s alliance with the BJP, Satyanarayan remarked, “What to do? Nitish is a compulsion, but Modi is a necessity.”
Tharu women were more reserved about their voting intentions. “We will decide on polling day,” said 56-year-old Sharda Devi. Pramila Devi, 28, offered a cryptic comment, “You should understand it better.”
At Champapur Bazaar in Harnatand, the younger generation of Tharu voters, fashionably dressed and politically aware, expressed their frustration with Kumar’s transformations. “We’ll vote for anyone but not for Nitish Kumar’s candidate,” said Ghanshyam Rai. “Who knows if he’ll switch sides again after winning? We don’t want to be embarrassed again,” he concluded.
As the election approaches, it’s clear that the Tharu tribe’s patience with Nitish Kumar’s political inconsistencies and prohibition policies has worn thin, influencing their voting decisions significantly.