Introduction:
Anand Mohan is once again a topic of discussion in Bihar politics. Known for his association with the Baahubali family and having spent 16 years in prison, Mohan has recently made sharp remarks against RJD’s MP Manoj Jha.
The Controversy:
- Comments on Thakur Debate: Anand Mohan commented that had he been in the Rajya Sabha, he would have pulled out Manoj Jha’s tongue and thrown him off his seat. The entire Mohan family has targeted Jha over this issue.
- Thakur vs. Brahmin Debate: Bihar’s political scene is currently heated with a Thakur-Brahman dispute. Manoj Jha’s recitation of the poem “Thakur’s Well” in the Rajya Sabha has even upset leaders from his own party, RJD.
- Family’s Reaction: Former MP Anand Mohan, his legislator son and RJD leader Chetan Anand, and daughter Surbhi Anand have vented their anger on Manoj Jha. However, RJD has now supported Manoj Jha, advising not to link the poem with caste.
Anand Mohan’s Political Journey:
- Baahubali of Bihar: Anand Mohan is recognized in Bihar as a strong leader or ‘Baahubali’. He was released from prison this year after nearly 15 years. He was accused of orchestrating the murder of the then District Magistrate of Gopalganj, G. Krishnaiah, in 1994.
- The Notorious Incident: Krishnaiah was attacked by a mob while passing through the Muzaffarpur district. The mob beat him and even fired shots. It was alleged that the mob was instigated by Anand Mohan.
- A Political Giant: Anand Mohan has been an influential figure in Bihar politics. Hailing from Saharsa district, he has his roots in a family that participated in the independence struggle. Mohan got actively involved in politics during the JP Movement and was imprisoned during the Emergency.
- Peak of Political Career in the 90s: During the 1990s, it was said that Anand Mohan’s single speech could influence the voting pattern of both the Bhumihar and Rajput communities. However, his political career faced a setback after the 1994 murder incident.
Anand Mohan From Challenges to Achievements
Political Rise in the 90s
- Backdrop: In the 1990s, the political scene was dominated by the Mandal Commission vs. Temple debates.
- Choosing Sides: While Lalu Prasad Yadav supported the Mandal Commission, Anand Mohan openly opposed it. When the Janata Dal supported the commission’s 27% reservation for government jobs, Mohan diverged and began advocating for the upper castes.
- Party Formation and Switches: Anand Mohan formed his political party to harness his influence. However, its popularity waned, and he began aligning with different political groups. Throughout his career, he’s been associated with numerous parties including Janata Dal, Samata Party, RJD, BJP, Congress, and SP.
From In-Laws to Parliament
- Political Initiatives: Two years after marrying Lovely Anand in 1991, Mohan formed a new party, Bihar People’s Party, opposing the reservation. Here, he unified the Bhumihar and Rajput communities under one banner.
- Electoral Success: In the 1994 Lok Sabha elections, Mohan fielded his wife, Lovely Anand, as a candidate from the Samata Party for the Vaishali seat. This proved to be a pivotal moment when she won and reached the parliament.
Electoral Setbacks:
- Facing Defeats: In 1995, despite his soaring popularity, Mohan contested elections from three places but faced defeats everywhere. He later joined the RJD in 1998, contested, and won the Sheohar Lok Sabha seat. He then joined the BJP and Congress in subsequent years but faced more electoral defeats.
Upholding Political Legacy
- Wife’s Role: After Anand Mohan’s incarceration, his wife Lovely took up the political mantle, consistently switching parties but facing electoral defeats. Currently, their son, Chetan Anand, is an RJD legislator and considered close to Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav.
Influence Behind Bars:
- Unwavering Influence: Even in prison, Mohan’s influence remained undiminished. Former IPS officer Amitabh Das revealed that during a raid in Saharsa jail in October 2021, several objectionable items, including a mobile phone, were found in Mohan’s possession. Accusations were made against the Nitish government for suppressing the FIR.
Enduring Political Presence:
- Evergreen Influence: Anand Mohan’s political influence remains as strong today as it was before his prison term. Every party had advocated for his release. His demeanor remains steadfast and, interestingly, the same RJD party that facilitated his release now witnesses his critical remarks. However, the party spokesperson Shakti Yadav highlighted the party’s support for the Anand Mohan family during controversies.
The Controversy Surrounding Manoj Jha’s Statement in Rajya Sabha
The Heart of the Controversy:
- On September 21, RJD’s Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha recited a poem titled “Thakur ka Kua” (The Thakur’s Well) by Omprakash Valmiki. In his speech, Jha made a statement about the need to “kill the Thakur within us.”
- This statement stirred up controversy, with members of the Thakur community, including those within the RJD, accusing Jha, a Brahmin, of demeaning the Thakurs. JD(U) leaders also criticized Jha for his statement.
Reactions to the Statement:
- RJD legislator Chetan Anand remarked that targeting a particular caste in the name of socialism is duplicitous. He added that the Thakur community believes in unity and inclusiveness. Anand emphasized that had he been in the assembly, he would not have allowed Jha to make such comments. This statement by Jha is viewed as a setback for Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD, which aims to be an inclusive party.
- Anand Mohan, the former MP, jumped to his son’s defense. He said had he been present in the Rajya Sabha during Jha’s speech, he would have physically confronted him. Anand Mohan is known for his fierce approach, even taking arms against his own government to protect the dignity of his community. He challenged Jha’s identity as a true socialist and questioned why Jha uses his Brahmin surname if he criticizes its legacy.
BJP and JD(U) Leaders’ Responses:
- BJP’s Thakur legislator Neeraj Kumar Bablu expressed his anger, saying he would have confronted Jha right there in the Rajya Sabha if he were in his place.
- JD(U) MLC Sanjay Singh went even further, suggesting that the Kshatriya community is capable of great sacrifices and also fierce reactions, advising careful speech.
Rajputs in Bihar’s Politics:
- In Bihar, the Rajput community is influential, and hence all political parties strive to maintain a good rapport with them.
- The Rajputs make up around 6-8% of Bihar’s population.
- They’ve been decisive in the outcome for nearly 30-35 Assembly seats and 7-8 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
- Both ruling parties and the opposition try to woo the Rajput community.
- In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP fielded 5 Rajput candidates, all of whom were successful. Notable names include Radhamohan Singh from Purvi Champaran, RK Singh from Ara, Rajiv Pratap Rudy from Chapra, Sushil Singh from Aurangabad, and Janardan Sigriwal from Maharajganj.
- During the 2020 Assembly elections, 28 Rajput candidates emerged victorious, with 15 from BJP, 2 from JD(U), 7 from RJD, 1 from Congress, 2 from VIP, and 1 independent.
Direction of Thakur-Brahmin Votes in Bihar:
- Both Rajputs (often referred to as Thakurs) and Brahmins each make up about 5% of Bihar’s total population.
- Rajputs have a significant presence in districts like Ara, Saran, Maharajganj, Aurangabad, Vaishali, and Buxar. In contrast, Gopalganj, Buxar, Ara, Kaimur, Darbhanga, and Madhubani have a higher concentration of Brahmins.
- According to a Lokniti-CSDS survey, during the 2020 Assembly elections, 55% of Rajputs and 52% of Brahmins voted for the NDA. Meanwhile, 9% of Rajputs and 15% of Brahmins voted for the Mahagathbandhan.
- Considering the ongoing debates between the two communities, it’s vital to understand how these controversies might impact the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Historically, both communities have majorly supported the BJP-led NDA coalition. However, a minor fraction of the Rajput votes that used to go to RJD-JDU might further reduce.
A Statement from Anand Mohan:
- “My entire political career was ruined while I was in jail, but my release wasn’t illegal,” asserts the strongman Anand Mohan.
Conclusion:
The evolving dynamics of Bihar’s politics, reflecting the ever-potent interplay of caste and leadership, remain as complex and intriguing as ever.
Anand Mohan’s re-emergence on this stage, coupled with the current controversies surrounding Manoj Jha’s statements in the Rajya Sabha, underscores the delicate balance that leaders must strike in their public pronouncements, given the profound cultural and political sensitivities at play.
Moreover, as Bihar remains a bellwether state in Indian politics, the way its various communities react and align in response to these controversies will inevitably have wider implications for the nation’s political landscape.
Mohan’s continued influence, despite his prolonged absence, attests to the lasting power of charismatic leaders and the loyalty they can inspire.
Meanwhile, the reverberations from Jha’s statements reveal the challenges of navigating a diverse political terrain where history, caste, and rhetoric intersect.
As events unfold, the only certainty is that Bihar’s politics will continue to captivate and surprise observers, both within the state and beyond.
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