Tharuhat, Bihar: Far from the musty corridors of the Patna Secretariat, on the foothills of the Himalayas in Valmikinagar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has initiated many of his State-wide yatras (tours). This region, also known as Tharuhat, is home to the Tharu tribes, residing in the terai areas, a strip of land on the foothills along the Indo-Nepal border.
Since assuming office in 2005, Mr. Kumar has launched development projects worth crores for the terai. However, his frequent political flip-flops and the implementation of prohibition have left voters across all age groups disgruntled this election season.
Tharuhat comprises about 300 villages spread across the 900 sq km Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve in Bihar’s West Champaran district. The Tharu population is around 3 lakh, with most being forest dwellers and some practicing agriculture. The tribe, formally accorded Scheduled Tribe status in May 2003, considers itself descendants of the Buddha, deriving its name from Theravada Buddhism.
“We will not vote for Nitish Kumar. He is palturam (turncoat) and imposed darubandi (prohibition) on us,” said Ghanshayam Rai, a vendor at the bi-weekly Friday market in Valmikinagar. Gautam Mahto, another vendor, added, “Daru (alcohol) and Tharu cannot be separated. Some Tharus may vote for the RJD candidate, but not for Nitish Kumar’s candidate this time.”
In Kanbhushari village, in the Bagaha-2 block, many young Tharu men have migrated to Gujarat, Punjab, Mumbai, and Gurugram for work. Satyanarayan Mahto, 60, and Ramchandra Mahto, 62, expressed their intention to vote for the BJP instead of Mr. Kumar’s candidate.
When it was pointed out that Mr. Kumar is an ally of the BJP and their vote would eventually support him, Mr. Satyanarayan responded, “Kya karen? Nitish majboori hai, lekin Modi jaruri hai (What to do? Nitish is a compulsion, but Modi is a necessity).”
Tharu women were more reserved about their voting choices. “We will decide on whom to vote for on polling day. We’ve not decided yet,” said Sharda Devi, 56. Pramila Devi, 28, cryptically added, “You should understand it better.”
At Champapur Bazaar in the bustling village of Harnatand, young and fashionable first-time Tharu voters are also discontented with Nitish Kumar’s political maneuvers. “We’ll vote for anyone but not for Nitish Kumar’s candidate,” said Ghanshyam Rai. “Who knows, if he makes another switch after winning the seat? We’ll be embarrassed again,” he said.
Related Topics:
- tribals
- Bihar
