On February 2 last this slogan rent the air during his birth anniversary organized by Janata Dal United with none else but the chief minister, Nitish Kumar, chairing the show. Other provocative anti-upper caste slogans were also raised in this era when there is hardly any scope for such polarized politics. And that too at the instance of the man, who till a couple of months back, used to talk about inclusive growth and who came to power with the support of the same upper castes.

For those living outside Bihar this development sounds unbelievable, nevertheless it is the sour fact. Provocative sloganeering was common in the early 1990s, when both anti- and pro-Mandalites were at the daggers drawn position. But two decades later teenagers, who have never heard of them, are a befuddled lot.

Is Bihar back to square-minus-one position, that is, thrown back to 1990 or even earlier period? But then how justified it is to raise the slogan like above or shout from the same stage that anyone who opposed us will be strangled? True backward castes have a long way to go before they can actually match the upper castes, yet there is no denying the fact that in the last two decades their clout in the political executive has certainly increased, if not in the permanent executive, that is, bureaucracy. The three top political personalities are Lalu Yadav, Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan––the third being a Dalit. In the last two decades the upper castes failed to produce any leader of their stature, though their presence in the bureaucracy, judiciary and media is still strong.

After losing control over political executive the upper castes, since mid-1990s, hitched hope on what they thought a more gentle faced backward, Nitish Kumar, who incidentally too was a hero of the pro-Mandal movement. Who can forget his presence in the Kurmi Maharally, the first of such caste rallies of early 1990s. But having rebelled out of the shadow of Lalu Yadav he initially joined hands with the CPI ML in 1995 assembly election. After having failed in his move he then jumped the BJP bandwagon, which by then started attracting upper caste votes.

The upper castes adopted forgive it and forget it approach as they wanted to get rid of what they feel Yadav Raj. Almost 14 years down (1996-2010) everything seems to be topsy-turvy now.

Among others the Congress is trying to win back its upper caste support while Lalu and Nitish are battling for the rest. With Nitish perhaps deliberately rubbing salt into the wound of the upper caste psyche the big question is who will be able to cash in on their resentment. The rejuvenated Congress had no leader while the other alternative is Lalu Yadav, who now enjoys the support of Ram Vilas Paswan.

But the problem with the upper castes is that it is difficult to forget the 15 years. Yes they overlooked the five years (1990-95) of Nitish’s ‘misdemeanour’ for obvious reasons.

What is more: while Nitish comes from numerically much smaller Kurmi caste, Lalu obviously is a Yadav, whose total strength is almost equal to the entire upper caste population. But Kurmis, though small, has more strong presence in the permanent executive as they are much more educated than Yadavs. On the other hand Lalu knows his weaknesses. Since Yadavs have little presence in the top bureaucracy––Gorelal Yadav being the only officer of the caste to reach the Commissioner-Secretary rank in 15 years––Lalu tried to compensate it by acquiring more political power by bringing in more Yadavs in panchayat to Parliament level.

Since Nitish was never under pressure to accommodate Kurmis in the political executive, as their number is much small, he was relatively free to forge alliance with other castes. Initially he did it with the upper castes. However, the struggle for Kurmis for seeking more power in the permanent executive and other related fields such as technocracy, academics etc started after Nitish’s advent to power.

The upper castes have fallen between two stools. With at least, for now, there is no leader and no party to rope them in they are finding themselves in a difficult situation.

Lalu may try his level best to win at least a section of support of the upper castes. But he has a problem. If a person (or group) rules for too long s/he had to pay the price for too long as well. For Lalu, there is another problem, and that is his caste. True the numerical superiority of his caste helped him forge alliance with Muslims and Dalits to remain in power for so long. Now the numerical asset has become a liability of sort for him.

In this situation there may be many upper caste individuals prepared to give benefit of doubt to Lalu, but the aggressiveness of Yadavs during the post-Mandal years still haunt them. Besides, Yadavs have more clash of interest with the landed upper castes as well as landless Extremely Backward Cstes and Dalits, than Kurmis, who are found in certain selected pockets of the state.

The politics of Bihar is in a state of flux and predicting anything is nothing but frightening.

* Soroor Ahmed is Patna based freelance journalist.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this report are purely those of the author and may not in any circumstances be regarded as official view of Bihar Times.

Comment

comments...

Its surprising that many of our friends instead of discussing on this article started Nitish GUNGAN. As I understood its a warning for Nitish to not follow Lalu style of sectarian politics. Bihar has already suffered a lot. Nitish should get this message laud and clear you can't consolidate your backward caste votes by simply upper caste bashing.Don't betray people's confidence.Your hawabazi through media would neavily bounce back. We have seen the fall of V P Singh after the implementation of Mandal Commission. Hopefully, a lot of people are going through this article and comments and wisdom would return to him otherwise janata hi janardan hai.

Prakash K Singh

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Soroor Ahmed ji

First let me pray that your eye sight improves.Indeed you have the right to write and nobody can deny you that right.
However, let me beg to differ with you. Somehow, Bihar got the tag of casteist and this tag has been used by many - in fact most - to deny the legitimate dues of Bihar. Having lived in various states of India, I can say with full conviction is
that casteism is no worse in Bihar than in other states. Just see the Kamma - Reddy fight in AP, Jat - Gujjar slugfest in Rajasthan, Marathas and the rest in Maharashtra, Lingayat - Vokkaliga in Karnataka and so on. Why even the so called left leaning progressive West Bangal - show me a CM or any other important politician who is outside the three caste of Brahmin, Bengali Kayastha Baidya. Yet we dont call them casteist! "Honourable" journalists like MV Kamath had
no hesitation to say Bihar needs outside tutelage as Biharis are unfit to rule Bihar. Ashish "Bimaru" Bose gave his infamous epithet to us. They dare not say anything even remotely as denigrating for the other states! And by God, did any of the genuine needs of Bihar get an attention - the hare brained freight equalization, the adverse credit
ratio which makes the poorest state a net exporter of capital! and so on.

As the Hindi saying goes, Bad se Badnaam Bura. We have suffered enough. Let us give ourselves a chance rather than keep denigrating ourselves.

So I have this to say: Agar samundar mathiyega to amrit milega, par
agar guh mathaiga to badbu hi milega.

Thakur Vikas Sinha

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I feel many of our friends were engaged in proving that who the champion in view of development of Bihar is. Whether Lalu or Nitish. Many of us have tried to support Lalu and remaining to Nitish. I believe that our view should be healthy and no way personal. Mr Soroor had written many articles in the past and most of them were favouring Mr Nitish Kumar. But no one had pointed out fingers at him. Our motto is to see our motherland developed similar to other developed states. Bihar had been treated badly by all politicians. Although Bihar had produced more numbers of IITians, UPScians etc. Bihar had given the first President to India and he also did not receive due respect by the state and central government in the past. A large number of Biharis are living in abroad and doing extremely well but never looked back because of the atmosphere and the law & order. It had never attracted them rather distracted. They started to hide their identification because it had harmed at some point of time.

Being a common person of Bihar we believe in the development of Bihar and Bihari people. I do not support or oppose anyone. Our constitution has given the fundamental right to freedom of speech to everyone so can express our view but it shall be within the decorum.

I would like to share my experiences which I had in different periods (Lalu to Nitish). I went to Bihar in Feb, 2005 to attend my sister's marriage ceremony after 6-7 years of stay in Dubai. To my surprise and sorrow, it was quite impossible to move a half kilometre with a car on any road of Bihar. One of our relatives invited me to see them in Raja Bazar. I went to Raja Bazar from Phulwarisharif and it took 45 minutes and the jerks were so severe that I felt myself almost unconscious. Next day moved to Darbhanga with a brand new 4x4 wheels from Patna. It took 7 hours and the unevenness of the roads had made my life almost like a dead person. I was so furious and upset that I cannot express my agony. In a few weeks later my sister's marriage day came. After marriage went to bring my sister back from her sasural. The road was so bad and uneven that you cannot even imagine. Both ends of the road were eroded and only 10cm in the middle was balance. The car was dangling and many a times we believed that the car had over turned. I requested the driver to let me get down. I walked around a kilometre but the destination was far. My driver said sir how long will you go. Everywhere you will find the same. Further added it's a Lalu Yadav's government with a distressed smile on his face. I mean to say even that guy did not calm himself and immediately reacted and commented against our ruler.

After a year in April 2006, went to Patna again. As usual got the invitation from Raja Bazar. I was completely hesitant to attend them due to the jerks which were still fresh in my mind. But on continuous requests, planned to go. In 20-25 minutes journey, our driver said sir we reached please get down. I could not believe it. I repeatedly asked we reached to the place for which we asked for. He said yes sir. Cannot express my feelings. The road was not new. Only what the incumbent government did fill up the cavity and made to travel without jerk. Next day went to Darbhanga. Reached in 5 hours with little difficulty but it was a nice journey.

After that we visited our mother land recently in June 2009. It was a totally different feeling. The car was moving on the Muzaffarpur to Darbhanga road with 100 kilometres per hour speed and I could not believe it. Stopped the car and looked around with hope and happiness and went to Darbhanga.

So, being a common Bihari, I strongly believe that we need comfort, better opportunity of employment, good governance, improved life style of the common people, development in the education, infrastructure, empowerment of the women etc. I believe that these all are on track if we keep away the ideological attachment with Sangh Parivar of Mr Nitish Kumar.

Whilst, Mr Kumar had to see all sects of the people and should rule Bihar like a Bihari because if Bihar will develop we all will be benefited out of it.

Eventually, I would like to express that I do not say that X is good and Y was bad. Mr Lalu Prasad is one of the veteran politicians and very well aware how to rule the government. Because he had shown his ability in improving the Indian Railways if we believe the claims of Lalu himself and the then centre government. Whatever the improvement has been seen in Indian Railways during his 5 year tenure as Railway Minister that was tremendous and even the top business institute of the world approached him to know the business tips so we have to give the credit to him. It means he knows what to do and how to do?

Similarly, when we see the development in Bihar during Mr Nitish Kumar’s tenure then certainly the credit will go to Mr Kumar’s government. Central government funded or nor we do not know as a common person. If somebody will ask me to whom you should bring for the next government, I will definitely say Mr Nitish Kumar and my vote if get the NRIB’s right will go to Nitish Kumar at least for the another next 5 years term.

Friends, do not take the burden on your heart. Do support the good governance and the good works of any leader irrespective of party, cast, creed and religion. Bihar needs unity and sincerity. To change the image of Bihar is not possible in a five year term. It needs minimum a generation to achieve the goodness if we all determined to change the image of Bihari as well as the face of Bihar.


Rafiq Zaman
Dubai, UAE

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I wish to respond to both Pankaj and Intesar Ahmad Khans’s comment. But first a brief premise. I hardly like Lalu Prasad’s gimmicks but that is not a parameter to Judge Nitish Kumar. I find the Nitish Fans evolving the most convenient ways to adore him. I too have high regards for his qualifications but that don’t beguile me to ignore his tomfoolery. His arrogance, active contribution to strengthen the Sangh Pariwar, ‘use and throw’ policy, intriguing caste games and bulldozing the media are some of the non-Lalu like ‘achievements’. Even after four and half years Nitish Kumar led JDU-BJP combine government biggest achievement seems to be ‘Lalu Failures’.
Now come to Pankaj comment.
The land value at Mumbai, Delhi and other major cities have gone down upto 40 p.c. If the increase in land value at Punpun is indicative of development of Nitish Kuamr’s government then the slashing of rates at those places should be considered the other way round. So dear Pankaj ji, congratulations if you too owned some land to sell but please come up with better examples.
Ab janab Intesar saheb ki baat. Please read the inner pages of Bihar’s hindi daily. In the last six months more than four dozen gramin banks were looted. Had it not been 200 crores of advertisement money of Nitish Kumar’s government, you could have seen it with umbrella headlines like ‘sube mein apradhiyon ka bolbala’ in Lalu days. Intesar saheb on Valentine Day it would be quite loving to note that Bihar Police has coined a new term ‘Honeymoon Kidnapping’ as if there were no eloping cases earlier. Please see the document of High Court and you would know the number of kidnapped or missing children. And ask the businessman about Rangdari tax and murders. This is not to suggest that Lalu’s era was any better.
I suspect Soroor Ahmed generally uses railways and thanks to ‘Nitish the railway minister’, there are more halts in P-G line than anyone can count.
Intesar sab, keep your right hand to your left part of the chest and recall the days before Lalu and then analyse your comment of ‘befooling slogans of secularism’.
Yes like any politician Lalu did many wrongs but his one single contribution is too big to be ignored. The ‘always ruled’ section of society got the courage from Lalu to question the traditional rulers.
For how long Nitish Fans would take shelter in Lalu’s failures. They should come up with good schools, better hospitals, reliable power supply and oppose the caste games. Many others would join Nitish Fans Club.
Haarriss

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I am giving very simple and real example of Nitish government achievements. My village is 4 Km from Punpun railway station). Before 4 years back land cost was (Rs 40000 – Rs 100000) per Bigha.Now same land cost is (Rs 800000 – Rs 200000) per Bigha.Now You can analysis the Bihar development yourself.

Pankaj

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Dear Soroor,

I am indeed touched by the way you have revealed your deficiency in eye sight.
And it is more so not only because of the fact that we both hail from the same place but also have lived like members of the same family.
But my sincere advise to refrain from biased journalism and utilize your immense potential in bringing out the truth as an impartial being.
Let us be honest and recall the dark ages of 15 years under Lalu / Rabri regime wherein there was absolute break down of law and order.
Dacoity, kidnapping, bike snatching, Rangdhari tax and that too under the shadow of lantern were rampant.
Soroor, don’t you feel the difference in the condition of road between patna and gaya which is frequently used by you?
Let me ask you if you could travel so fearlessly during night hours in Laloo Raj as you are able to in the present days of Susashan.
Laloo and his RJD goons only contributed in spoiling the name of Bihar to an extent that people of Bihar used to feel embarrassed in proclaiming
themselves as Bihari, while we take pride in calling ourselves a Bih
ari under Nitish Raj. So, think positive beyond your pre conceived ideas and don’t get misguided by the so called befooling slogans of secularism.
We the muslims of India have seen enough of Congress sponsored secularism. Enough is enough.

Intesar Ahmed Khan
Dubai, UAE

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Pradeep Bhai, you need to be congratulated for putting your questions to Mr. Soroor Ahmad as there are many who are hell bent to shut any note of dissent. In this age of freedom of expression no civilized comments should be blocked.
I appreciate your concern for eradicating casteist feelings but my dear we can't heal the wound by denying it. And for your questions I have the following answers. When our constitution and governments do discriminate on caste basis for whatsoever reasons how can we deny that at many places caste is deciding factor.
Here come the answers;
1.Admission to kindergarten
Ans. Most of the children come from a particular group of castes.
2.Admission to primary school
Ans. In the government run primary schools most students come from a particular group of castes. The situation at private schools is just opposite.
3.Obtaining a driving license (need to distinguish between caste and corruption)
Ans. Driving license for light four wheelers are mostly held by a particular group of castes and license for the the heavy vehicles are obtained by other particular group of castes.
4.Purchase of vegetables/groceries
Ans. If you are a grocer then in all probability you would belong to a few particular castes.
5.Purchase of bikes and cars
Ans. The percentage of buyers belonging to a particular group of castes is very little.
6.Selection of the doctor for the next visit
Ans. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ask the compounders and the touts or even the MRs.
7.Application for a new passport or passport renewal
Ans. All passport officials know only one caste; MONEY.
8.Admission to engineering/medical colleges
Ans. Count the number of engineers and doctors and you would get the answer.
9.Allocation of departments in engineering/medical colleges
Ans. Same as for the question 8.
10.Accreditation to various journalistic societies/associations
Ans. Dear O dear! When we have most of the journalistic mind (pun intented) concentrated to one or two breeds where is the question of discrimination in societies/association.
11.Filing of a FIR (need to distinguish between caste and corruption)
Ans. Yes boss! We would certainly distinguish between caste and corruption. After all why we have special police stations for some particular castes?
12.Appointment of teachers.
Ans. Hey man! Who cares for a four-five thousand contractual jobs but check the permanent posts and top private institutions, you would get the answer. When I was in school thirteen out of fifteen schoolteachers were of a particular caste. It could have been fourteen but that one was an Urdu teacher Post.
13.Appointment of police or home guards or SSB
Ans. Are you talking of officers or just the ‘grih rakshaks’?
14.Promotion of government employees (need to distinguish between caste and favoritism)
Ans. It depends who is the Raja? Don’t believe! Pls check the list of top positings in Patna.
15.Selection of the restaurant for the next lunch or dinner
Ans. Not much to choose from.

Haarriss

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Mr. Soroor Ahmed,
Thanks for your rebuttal, but my disagreement with your point of view still persists and it is as strong as ever before.
I live in the same Bihar as you do. I admit that caste system is a reality in Bihar, but I also know for sure that it is now no longer as rigid, as obligatory, and as binding as it used to be few decades ago (for example, the era of Soshit Samaj Dal leader Jagdeo Prasad). Caste is not the only thing that matters in Bihar - be it politics or bureaucracy, but your articles highlight it beyond measures that caste is the only thing that matters in Bihar. You depict caste system of Bihar as Taliban's Sharia Law. Down below, Amarendra Kishore had an observation, "Bicharon ki aazadi ka yah katiye matlab nahi hai, ki ham samaj ko apne aazad khayalon ka gulam bana de". Your recent articles are not just an analysis of recent socio-political scenario in Bihar, but they are forceful (and wrongful, too) assertion of the fact that caste is the only reality of Bihar and it is the only thing that brings changes (rise or fall) in Bihar.
Here I have dozen or so questions for you. Please let us all know where you think caste is the deciding factor:
1.Admission to kindergarten
2.Admission to primary school
3.Obtaining a driving license (need to distinguish between caste and corruption)
4.Purchase of vegetables/groceries
5.Purchase of bikes and cars
6.Selection of the doctor for the next visit
7.Application for a new passport or passport renewal
8.Admission to engineering/medical colleges
9.Allocation of departments in engineering/medical colleges
10.Accreditation to various journalistic societies/associations
11.Filing of a FIR (need to distinguish between caste and corruption)
12.Appointment of teachers
13.Appointment of police or home guards or SSB
14.Promotion of government employees (need to distinguish between caste and favoritism)
15.Selection of the restaurant for the next lunch or dinner
Of course, all the above questions are Bihar specific and your answer must be limited to Bihar as well. Before highlighting the caste equations in politics, you need to clarify your take on above 15 factors. Only then you can rightly and justifiably and unequivocally comment on the influence of caste system in Bihar. Your current take on the importance of caste system in Bihar is highly eclipsed.
Your targeted audience, computer literates and educated young men, do not give a damn about the caste. The caste of the next CM or FM or HM does not interest them at all. All they care and all they want to know is the delivery on promises made during election rally. As long as the concerned MLA or MP is delivering on his/her promises, his/her caste is immaterial. If he/she does not deliver, the open door will be cordially shown to him/her next time.
The only institution in Bihar, and elsewhere in India as well, where caste system is a reality is marriage. Till today, it is quite rigid and quite binding, though deviations are beginning to crop up every now and then. I do not foresee it to change dramatically in near future, but I see no harm in continuing to abide by them. Not that I oppose any changes in them, but I would rather prefer to let it take its own course than to change it forcefully.
I am well aware of your publication at several forums, as you have rightly pointed out. But, articles like “Upper caste politics at crucial juncture in Bihar” and “Buttering up Nitish government: Muslim journalists’ favourite pastime in Bihar” and “Lalu’s Yadav Liability, Nitish’s Kurmi Frailty” are on BiharTimes only. Have you published them at any other Internet or print media? Hence, part of my ire is on BiharTimes as well. These three mentioned articles are not impartial assessment of current situation in Bihar.

Pradeep

P.S.: I have stick with my displeasure at your caste theories in this reply. My opposition to your Nitish bashing will be communicated to you in a separate note. Please keep in mind that I am not a Nitish fan or a Lalu hater. My object of passion is not JDU or RJD or any other political party. I hold myself affiliated to Bihar and Bihar only.

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No one has a right to ask anyone to deny someone their right of freedom of speech and expression. Bihar Times to me is not a private property of someone as long as it has its name Bihar Times.
Bihar Times is not a Samna of Thackrey that it allow any person to behave as if he/she is Thackrey and issue a fatwa against a respectable journalist like saroor ahmed. What Saroor Ahmed through his article has tried to do is a comparative and analytic studies of the current situation in Bihar. When we read Bihar times we expect a balance report with a space for all and Bihar times is not a mouthpiece of Nitish Kumar that only his eulogy should be allowed to be written. These kind of people who try to deny someone their right will do more harm to Nitish Kumar. The people of Bihar are not fool. They know what is right and what is wrong and its reflects in the election. We should also keep in mind the consequences of Thackrey dictat against Shahrukh Khan for his film MNIK wherein he got a tight slap from the nation for trying to take the whole Mumbai on ransom………………

Ejaz Ahmad,

United Arab Emirates

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Dear Mr. Soroor Ahmed,
I really don’t know you and especially I didn’t know that you are suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa. I am sorry if anyway I hurt you personally.
Take care
Omer Hejazeen
United Arab Emirates

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Soroor Ahmed writes back:

In this age of information explosion the one thing, which is not happening is the debate involving common men and women. There is no scope in the TV channels for the feedback while the newspapers have little/hardly any space for the readers to freely express his/her view, especially in the regional editions.

Internet is the best alternative and I am thankful to BiharTimes for generating debate on all the issues. It is not only for Soroor Ahmed to write. Everyone is free to send views, which are published without even changing/deleting comma, full-stop etc. But then asking the news-portal not to allow Soroor Ahmed to write is something not expected from matured netizens.

I know the United States of America is a much developed than Bihar, but don’t the media discuss racism there? Don’t we discuss attacks on Indians in the much developed Australia? Nobody is preventing anyone from developing the state. In fact this particular article has absolutely nothing to do with development. It was just an analysis on what exactly has been happening in Bihar in the last few months.

Discussing caste-factor does not amount to stopping the roads from being constructed, or rail line from being laid or building from being constructed. But do you know what will happen when the media cease to function as the watch-dog––as it is happening now. The entire development would go in waste, if one does not warn in advance.

See what happened in Patna in the last three days. Property worth crores were torched and looted by thousands of angry Plus-II students as their grievances were not getting ventilated––no not even by the media. In the last few years the higher education has gone from bad to worse, yet we were all showering praise on the government.

Mark it: no country grew as fast as Germany in six years period of 1933-39, and the no country got destructed as fast in the next six years too––1939-45. No Bihar, (God forbids), is not going the same way. But you know when people are pitted against another be it in the name of caste or religion all the development will go in waste. So when I try to draw the attention towards the same old mistake committed by us in the past, we are not tolerant enough to coolly accept and cross-check it. In the last few months things have once again gone into back gear.

One gentleman, perhaps knowingly, wrote “if Soroor Ahmed can see” (Omar). Yes I can hardly see (it is really difficult for me to read and write without computer) because I am suffering from retinitis pigmentosa. I may be blind but not purblind. Things are not just seen by eyes but from the eyes in the mind. And from those eyes I write for what I perceive true.

Soroor Ahmed does not write on Bihar alone, or only for BiharTimes. I write simultaneously for several dailies, magazines and portals. With this fading vision I wrote a book, The Jewish Obsession, in 2004, a book on Middle East politics written with utmost objectivity and clarity of thought.

You can find my articles in Edit/Oped pages of the Telegraph, the Tribune, etc. Those talking about my ‘hidden agenda’ may go to the libraries of the Times of India and Asian Age (before 2002 when I used to move and report) to see whether I was really bias towards anyone party or person in the earlier years. If that is difficult just click in the search section of the rediff.com to see my old writings as I have worked for this portal too till 2002.

So preventing me from writing in BiharTimes in this age of democracy is no solution as I would continue to write elsewhere. I am at least providing an alternative view in your favourite portal, just read it patiently, debate it vociferously and relish it. I have no hidden agenda.

I love being criticized.

Soroor Ahmed

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It is nice to see 31 comments on this particular topic with different opinions. It is strange to see too much undue credits being given to Nitish Kumar and I don’t think he deserve that much accolades.
If the media is giving the credit for good governance to Nitish then it must also give credit to Lallu Yadav to control the communal riots in the country.
Nitish and Lallu Yadav deserve credit for their respective initiative and commendable jobs – one for good governance and other for controlling communal riots and at the same time we should also keep in mind that both of them are politicians and can do anything to achieve their goals. Lallu made MY combinations whereas Nitish did the opposite and hugged Narender Modi. He has been given undue credit for building roads in the state whereas it was funded by central government which did the miracle for Bihar. I am not taking the full credit away from Nitish Kumar for his initiative for good governance. He has made it a precedent and political compulsion for any new incumbent to follow the way Lallu Yadav has set the precedent to control the communal riots. So now whether Nitish win or loose this path of good governance will be carried forward and the legacies – Nitish’s good governance and Lallu’s communal harmony will go ahead by default. I don’t think the new incumbent will dare to derail these two policies. The common masses of Bihar is very intelligent and will decide their vote intelligently. Let the good policies prevails and pray for the betterment of our state and let us avoid being a sycophant of any of these leaders.
Ejaz Ahmad
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Many of our NRIs/NRBs brothers carry their impression based upon newspapers reports.

1. State govt. fed more than 200 crores to these metro based media houses whose only interest is to make money in Bihar. (whose money was this------ certainly not our NRIs and NRBs brothers (they hardly pay any tax in Bihar) -----but of their poor relatives who are living in Bihar.)

2. Newspapers are most profitable industry of Bihar. (the highest profit making industry in the state is one of the leading newspaper)

3.Bihar can't be made brand by putting crores of rupees in advt the photo of our politicians.

4. Open your own eyes and keep a vigil on govt. and who has given licence to make all kind of mischief on the name of governance.

5.The cost of different yatras and cabinet meeting on hills and villages would be again in crores.

6.Any one can verify above facts using RTI .

7.People have given mandate so they have every right to raise their concern this shows the vibrancy of our democracy.

Vikas

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Sorry friends,I may hurt sentiments of some Nitish's hard-core followers by commenting on Mr Sorror's article which was my first comment on Bihartimes.com after reading many such type issues.I'm not political worker so no means unnecessarily want to allege any politician but all facts are from news agencies today or those days.I never said Nitish as ISI or CIA agent,plz don't show extra-frustration,I again to say sorry,if having hurt your sentiment.

All know,Lalu has done no good work in his or his wife's 15 years long regime but now as Bihar is going to face assembly election in next couple of months so there should be honest post-mortem of Nitish 4 yrs long regime as well on public plate-form.I am agree,when history of Bihar will be written,Nitish will be remembered as he has molded Bihar's political and public mind-set towards developemnt as result today Lulu is also talking about development and his achievements as Railway minister(it may be genuine or manupulated).But issue is what efforts Nitish has taken besides publicity???

One point will clear his intention, for development related work any individual,family,state or country need resuorces so consider what step Nitish has taken for increasing revenue in Bihar?Bihar isn't a manufacturing state but it's a big market and has large farming land-holdings with lots of potential in comm taxes and land revenue.If any people has seen/heard about Govt efforts to generate revenue by better tax collection management?have you seen any advertisement from Govt with appeal to consumer for buying stuffs with bills so govt can get due taxes?All full page-cover advertigements are with un-realistic Govt achievements which has no relation with Dev but for political gain....

At last,in all fields you can find same situation.We need sincere efforts of developemnt in state,better life of our coming generation and should decide for this without becoming pre-determinded about Lalu,Niish,Paswan...etc

Mukesh Kumar, New Delhi

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No one is perfect and we should ignore one or two mistakes of Nitish Kumar.Just remember that he started from scratch.Infact , nothing concrete was done in the state after 1980.In the last four years , he has been trying to bring infrastructure, law and order upto the mark and has been doing everything which is in his hand so that private investment can come.
We must remeber that he has a vision for the future of Bihar and he is trying to bring about renaissance of sort.
I must say "if a person from your community or mine become a minister or even CM , it is hardly good for you or me.But, if the all round development takes place ,it reaches to the all sections of society sooner or later.
Nitish kumar must be elected in the next election for the larger interest of the state.

ABHAY KUMAR

Noida

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Pradeepjee that was little too harsh. Soroor Ahmed does seem to be RJD sympathiser and is trying hsi level best to present the eyewah theory where Nitish Kumar too gets painted with the same brush. but this time Nitish Kumar has given opportunity by gracing the casteist slur filled Jagdeo jayanti celebration. I know some level of casteist tokenism can't be avoided in caludonr of Bihar politics. But rank and file of socalled upper caste is nto going to be as generous as someone like me.. I know Nitish Kumar even at his worst is not goign to be as incomepetent as Laloojee hence he should be voted in with or without condonement of casteist slur albeit wings little clipped so that he doesn't acton those caste politics lines.

If we Biharis fail to reelect Nitish kumar this time once again laloo era doctrine that development doesn;t win you election will fortify its roots . Again every thing will go downhill.


So my friened fro any caste plese see through the machinations of articles like these and do not fall for it.


Anil Kumar

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Oh Saint !

Yes , Its same question - what - if Nitish open his mask and we find another Lalu . Why do you always blame 'Lalu' for no development ? Why don't you find that Its democracy and winner rules . Its number game thats why when someone use abusive language against a section of society and Nitish keeps smiling .

USA is a much developed country but I don't have any stake in it . What if - In a developed state - 'You' don't find your any stake ? Just tell me few answers :-

1. Reservation in Panchayat - We accepted it .

2. Bataidaar Kanoon - We are silent .

3. Abusive Language in Presence of Nitish Kumar - We are giggling .

4. Honest officers are shunted - Please , Shup up - for the development of state .

5. Castiesm is on high - None is saint !

6. Corruption is major issue - By Product of Development .

Okay , dear - I will vote for Nitish Kumar - just to keep your ego happy , Don't worry . BUT , Remember - After 5 years - You won't have enough power to take entry in Bihar .

Rest , I want my bihar another USA :)

Ranjan.

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You are expecting saint in politics. We all know Nitish Kumar too comes from same stable of caste-cauldron. And we also know all these casteist leaders were spawned by the upper caste high-handedness of the past. Noone is denying these things.

What I have problem with is somehow arrival of Laloo prasad Yadav. In my view Laloo prasad Yadav stands for everythign that is today screwed with our state. If he comes we will be back to square one. same nonsense where Laloojee starts speakign in terms of "Poolwa leke ka karwa police aa jaai aur marijuana ke kheti ruk jaai."
Please stay the course of development with Nitish Kumar govt. because otherwise it sends very wrong message which is Biharis do not vote for develoopment. And let us face it one might have problme with the development against the claim of Nitish but noone can deny there has been development for a change in Bihar..

Have patience next crop of leaders will be of betetr stock. it's a evolutionary process. and evolution means one looks forward doesn't go backward to Laloo's lantern era..
Anil

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Nitish in Fodder Scam, Murder Accused 302, Sala/Jeeja of someone etc. etc.!! I am afraid next time someone will file a case that he's an ISI agent and he'll be declared A TERRORIST....Or since US ambassador has visited, he should be labeled as CIA agent!! Great going guys!!

So if only CASTE matters, not hard work then what wrong with LALU??

Or bring on the real SAINT, the YUVRAJ of India. After all, heavens will not fall if it's not in the 40 yrs of their rule! He'll at least relieve Biharis of their Boredom by changing CM's like his pant (Between 84-89, 5 CMs in 5 yrs.)

Mr. Saroor must be a happy man today. After all he's generated so much heat akin to TRP's of TV channels. He should be nominated for PADMA awards or better instead a Noble!!

In the end It all boils down to one thing, people (indoctrinated) always see what they want to. If you want see BLACK even shining WHITE will appear BLACK. Ditto for the reverse.
I don't think anyone out here have gone through the real content of that 'Rally' except for hearsay and going through Mr. Saroor's version. Had it been so true, Congress (and even other opposition) would have gone crying hoarse about that.
Most of the people commenting here have their mind already "worked-up" for and against some one. So, it'll be the fence-sitters (undecided and neutral voter) who will decide the fate of Bihar.
Alok Kumar Singh
Noida (India)

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It seems that now Bihar will never be free from the caste politics. After 15years of misrule, Bihar had some developmental work which was appreciated all over India, and there was hope that Bihar also could do well in the development sector but our leaders whether it is Nitish or Lalu both are the two faces of same coins. Lalu yadav did nothing and Nitish did something but these works were still not enough to tame the migration of population from the state. Whatever work was done by Nitish government was magnified. The reality is that we still have the lowest per capita income,low literacy rate, electricity and communication problems. Today law and order situation can also not be said satisfactory. Cases of extortion and kidnapping are still occurring Corruption are rampant in the state machinery. After the victory of Nitish we had hope that after so many years we had a good leader, but recent actions of nitish shows that he also can't away from the caste politics. But Nitish ji should remember that, it is not easy to become a great leader. Great leader has to make great effort and he has to take every section of society together.
Vivek Singh

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I hoped some matuirity on part of Omer Hejazeen sab but it seems the obstacle created by mr. Nitish Kumar has obstructed his vision too. Using 'you' never meant particularly for him. I am not just four years old to restrict myself to analyse Bihar of four years. I would analyse Mr. Nitish Kumar when he sought the help of man likes Suraj Bhan and Anant Singh. I would also recall how Mr. Nitish Kumar went to attend the funeral of the dreaded criminal T.P. Singh just because of the fact that 'Tipiya' belonged to a particular caste. I cannot forget how he used once Abu Qaiser of Bhagalpur and dumped him when the elections were over. I also cannot overlook the fact that he selected a man of a particular caste in the name of giving ticket to 'party worker'. Come to Patna and people would tell you the long list of a particular caste men appointed at crucial positions. That is not to say that Lalu did any different. But then what is the difference between Lalu and Nitish. Caste ke hammam mein donon langotia yar nange hain.
Nitish has coined and joined new divisions of society. Dalits have become Mahadalits and the game he is playing with castes is no secret. Only eyes away from Bihar can't see that. One can discuss endlessly Nitish's contribution of strengthening the Sangh Pariwar.
And one thing more. Yes, Mr. Hejazeen I never doubted that you could afford teaching your children in Scotland or even on Mars but that has never been my contention. I eat Bihari rotis and I don't have the Nitish like arrogance. I asked you if you would like to send your children to schools run by Nitish Kumar. Hejazeen saheb, why you worked hard for your rosy daydreams? Have just a nap and you would get more of it. And for me, I went to government school of Pre Nitish-Lalu era and I can assure that schools then were much better run. Today nobody seriously takes government schools.
Analyse fours years this way and you would get the right path. May Allah bless you.
Haarriss

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I frequently travel to Bihar. I could feel improved law and order situation. People feel confident that there will be police to provide security. The criminal justice system has undergone remarkable changes with the conviction of criminals across caste and class in Bihar.

The doctors are working under coercion. The polio program is indeed a success story. The appointment of school teachers without weighing or judging their talent will spoil the students studying in Government-run schools. The State will realize and experience the devastating effects of appointing teachers---some of them are admittedly undeserving.
The posting of officers based on their caste has become a part of custom and rituals.
Bihar needs huge investment in Infrastructure. The poor condition of electricity can be felt everywhere.
The Higher Education in Bihar needs a big push. There is hardly any technical institute in Bihar which gives a sense of pride to us. The debate is going on to rule the University and College by Civil Servants. There is wide perception that Nitish Government is able to deny their Ministers the opportunities to earn by illegal means. At the same time, there is perception that the Civil Servants are enjoying their chair and are involved in corruption.
The divisive politics is an integral part of election in India. The However, such idioms should not flow from responsible politicians.
Vijay Singh

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So many comments on Mr. soroor Ahmed’s article in very short time shows that biharis living in any part of the world are still alive and politically active , I feel Mr. Ahmed has succeeded in his fact finding mission, his grip over the caste politics of Bihar is unparallel, and beyond doubt it can be said that his data presented (can be verified by different sources), and found to be true.
Any Bihari living in Bihar or away from home has right to opine on the article ,but no one should deny the fact we Biharis become deaf and dumb and even blind when something goes against or when our personal interest clashes with that of other caste, that is what happened in the recent past in the state that even the closest ally(lalan singh) of nitish left him when election is at hand.
was there any personal clash between them, ? not at all, it was the matter of caste’s political supremacy that led to the friends becoming foe today!
One should not forget that in democracy the numbers count not the ideology or hard work, Jadavs &Dalits are more populated and politically active than any caste of Bihar.
why don’t we see what is happening in our neighboring state UP, ? A Dalit is sitting in the driving seat, not the higher caste, similarly in Bihar the Congress and BJP(usually led by higher caste), will sit in opposition , as they don’t have second line of leaders among them for the future comparable to Lalu, Nitish or Paswan,
Hats off to BT for giving every one fair opportunity to express and Mr. Ahmed for such a thought provoking article
Dr Anwer Ahsan
KSA

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Caste is unfortunate reality of our society due to old age fedual mind-set and repeated efforts of our political leaders to devide society on caste and religious line for their existence without performance.But it is not matter of so frustration because mins-set of people (society) is changing and situation of caste devide will dilute gradually with modern education and materialistic approach among people.

Further, Mr Nitish Kumar, CM of Bihar is not ultimate solution of development of Bihar.Bihar will be sure a develop state but with endeavours & labours of it Sons like farmers,skilled workers,technocrates,technicians,businessmen,small traders...etc and a good governance can only to provide opportunity fairly to all these people.

Now we have found a good (as Nitish) from worse (as Lalu) but we should try to find out the best (in democracy you have to decide) for more speedy progress who can deliver more than propoganda as this good is propagating more, doing less.You may remembered,today Bihar is ruled by India Shining,Bharat Uday,Feel-Good fame propoganda masters.

About Castiest politics from Mr Nitish Kumar,we don't forget he is class-mate (cabinet colleage in fisrt govt) of Mr Lalu Prasad,a polical icon of mandal politics after losing two initial assembly elections and aslo parted way from Lalu when there was rumours of his involvement in fodder-scam(general public may have no idea about this due to his image management skill).At last,Mr Nitish Kumar is also one of accused under 302 (murder charge) of a polical worker of opposite party in his consituency but having got stay on this from High Court ,Patna (he's good skill for managing all this).

People can decide best in democracy...

Mukesh Kumar, New Delhi

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Terming present CM as best CM ever Bihar had will be exaggeration. Best was still when Shribabu was CM. But yes Bihar has started moving from standstill and credit goes to present government of NDA.
Chiranjeev Singh
Hyderabad

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Oh ...Pradeep rai jee , You are absolutely correct . there must be 'news & Analysis' cencorship - If someone used to write against present Bihar Govt .
Whats your opinion on CASTE basis 'abusive language' and 'slogans' in a meeting and in the presence of Nitish Kumar jee ?
BiharTimes is always ahead in presenting 'goody-Goody' news about Bihar :)
Ranjan

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It is with heavy heart that I am writing this note to you. My apologies!
The disclaimer at the end of the article is deeply appreciated. Mr. Soroor Ahmed, however, is a man with highly distorted mentality. He cannot think beyond caste lines. He desperately needs professional help.
When it comes to publishing loose talks by Mr. Soroor Ahmed, BiharTimes is not maintaining its high standards. BiharTimes should not encourage people like Mr. Soroor Ahmed to promote his caste-based divide-and-rule policy. There was so much hue-and-cry over his last casteist article “Upper caste politics at crucial juncture in Bihar” on Jan 18, 2010. Yet, merely 25 days later, BiharTimes decided to publish his another caste-based agenda. This is not how one defines “lively and socially committed media”. This lowers the dignity and credibility of BiharTimes. It is only on BiharTimes that Mr. Soroor Ahmed is able to publish his propaganda articles. Hence, BiharTimes is directly responsible for promoting and disseminating his caste-based doctrines.
I am not sure in what direction you want to steer BiharTimes. But, if BiharTimes continues to broadcast caste-based ideologies of sick minded people like Mr. Soroor Ahmed, I have no doubt in minded that, in due course of time, BiharTimes is destined to loose its significant readers base. In the name of providing “liberal forum to Bihari netizens” or encouraging “freedom of expression,” you cannot allow maniacs to propagate caste-based theories. It will be tantamount to promoting Taliban’s Sharia Law.
Pradeep

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Dear Mr. Haarriss Khan
First of all I would like to make you clear that, whatever rosyday dream I have, I have worked hard for it, unlike you sitting somewhere and complaining about nothing.
If you are honest tell me what was there 4 years ago in Bihar? There was nothing. The growth whatever has happened it is for the first time in Bihar.
Be a bit positive and sensible, the wrongs of 50 years will require more time to make it right.
And for your kind information , I am not just sitting in UAE, I am also contributing to the development of Bihar.
I think this is high time that all of us should contribute towards to the development of Bihar, not just sit and complain.
And also for your information, I can afford to send my children to Scotland to study.
Just to conclude I am not blindly supporting Honorable Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar, I only admire his courage, vision and initiatives.
I am least bothered about the politics, whether it is caste based or religion based.
May Allah give you wisdom to understand everything.

Omer Hejazeen
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I find nothing wrong in Mr. Soroor’s article. It is the bitter truth of Bihar. We must be optimistic but at the same time realistic too. In terms of caste discrimination, Nitish is no different from Lalu, he is even worse. Unfortunately all government in last two decades tried their best to ignore upper caste. Now Nitish is going for hate campaign. He must learn from the result of BJP’s hate campaign how people gave befitting reply to BJP in Lok Sabha election. If Nitish jee want to make policy for EBC, most welcome, but why to hate upper caste. His style of working is horrible, if he can’t convince his own man, how he can convince all people of Bihar. He invited most of RJD’s corrupt man to join his party; we saw the result last year. If he will not mend his way, I am afraid he may get the same fate as of Chandra babu Naidu.

Jitender Singh
Bangkok

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Bihar poltics is at crucial juncture and its upto Nitish how he shiefts the politics of caste and religion to pure development. People have given him mandate to pursue the agenda of good governance so he should not feel shaky about his performance and adopt the old political culture of the state. Caste is there and would remain there and it is upto the leadership to make choices. If he opts for exclusive polics in favour of certain social section then all his good work done in last couple of years would be derailed. So make a strong opinion against politicians who dare to play politics on the basis of caste. Nitish should avoid joining caste rally and contradict any divisive speech and slogan publically. Don't rely on your social engineering like-- politics of mahadalit, pichra, atiapichhra and so on.

What was the justification to accomodate in JDU --- Shyam Rajak, Sanjay Singh, Taslimuddin and so on.........

Improve governance and rampant corruption in the state and avoid creating unnecessary hype in media about Bihar's development it would baunce back heavily like many earlier cases. So onus is purely on Nitish and he should keep away from cheap caste poltics of the state to make himself different from others.

Can anyone discuss and analyze Bihar politics without caste?

Prakash Singh

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When I read this article only thing which came in my mind is can't we think beyond cast politics? Bihar is a place where I have grown up and have seen the Laloo/Rabri Raj and now Nitish kumar and also I can see the apparent difference. If you go to Patna or any place for that matter in Bihar you will see a huge difference what it used to be before four years and what it is today. Today all over India people are talking about great job being done by Nitish Kumar and I am really proud to have him as a chief minister. But unfortunately we are still talking about caste. When Nitish Kumar launches a program for Maha Dalit it is seen as caste politics where he is trying to lure them but we really don't think that they are the most deprived section of the society and certainly need special care. But we are so used to of Congress and Laloo/Rabri politics and we have got so much of negativity that when someone is trying to do something for the society we start thinking about his interest in doing that. Even if Nitish has got some interest while doing something for anyone deserved let's support him for at least doing some good work rather than looking into the interest he has got.

He has been the best Chief Minister Bihar has ever had and let's support him. Opposing him will only give opportunity to Congress or Laloo/Rabri/Paswan people who are responsible for whatever Bihar was till few years back when backwardness & kidnapping was state sponsored and when your ministers/MLAs used to lift cars/goods from showroom to facilitate honorable chief minister's daughter's marriage or threaten businessman for hafta. Let's make a decision on what we want.
Bikas
Cincinnati, USA

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No Doubt Nitish is the best CM of Bihar we have ever got so far since independence. No doubt he is dedicated for the development of Bihar and the Biharis.Let's make it clear that he needs to lead the Biharis not on caste agenda basis but on development basis. In the last few months I have seen a change in Nitish attitude, he has started distancing himself from upper caste politicians and started appearing in controversial meetings where slogans against upper castes were raised and which were not in good tatse. This kind of behavior change happens when you forsee some kind of insecurity and in haste you make stupid mistakes like the public meeting of Jagdeo Prasad. I guess Nitish is becoming a victim of this fear. Nobody is perfect and our great CM should also understand this fact, he should live space for party workers. History has shown the debacle of govts. in the past when the party workers were not united. If he wants to come to power in the next term better keep the party worker together. We are moving close to election and all sort of agenda will popup and particulary caste agenda mainly to polarize the votes. Of course Congress, RJD and Paswan party are trying their best to tumble the Nitish govt. and they will make all attempts to bribe their party worker as well influence the party leaders to imbalance his hold on the party.
Lallan Singh is good leader and if they have any differences then that needs to be worked out immediately and effectively before it get worst. Media in our country has gone to a very high altitude and if conflicts like Lallan Singh and Nitish will keep on coming on the air it will malign his good image and party's image too. Let's not forget the alliance with BJP, which will also go in bad shape as we have a mixture of backward caste and upper caste representation. Please for god shake don't indulge in caste politics. We need Bihar to be a prosper state like Gujrat and Maharashtra.

-- Sanjay Kumar ( Bihar Premi)
Muzaffarpurwale from USA

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The author has time and again proved his bias beyond any doubt. With his acerbic and rabid caste analysis there is a design here. He wants to provoke 'certain' section to go for (or against) 'certain' party, so that his 'own' party (for which his heart bleeds) benefits in the melee. So best way to deal with such people and writings is to just IGNORE. But since some people are falling prey to this design it's important to come forward and counter.

Nobody is perfect in this world. The canard that some people (including the author) wants to spread has no basis. Ponder a little overe these hard facts and picture would be clear:

1) There have not been any real caste violence, no palpable sign of any discrimination either. The one violence that happened 'belonged' to the 'same' section as of Nitish. God knows what would have happened if it was otherwise..

2) When Bihar is growing, it benefits all. To be honest, the biggest beneficiaries are the upper crest of the society (the Richs of all castes).

3) Every section thinks (may be rightly so) that this govt. is due to their own support hence they should get the largest share (may be at the cost of others).

4) This NDA govt. came to power on a very fragile social combination. There 'll always be some disgrutled people no matter what the govt. does. Be it certain Mr. Kushwaha or Mr. Prabhunath or Lallan. So, Nitish has to walk a tightrope.

5) Had Laloo done even half what has been done in the last 4 years he'd been weighed in gold.

So it's back to square one. As election approaches the real face of all of us (myself included) Biharis will come to the fore. That we can't shed our castiest mindset for our own benefit.

Earlier, it's a common refrain that nothing (+ve) can happen in benighted Bihar, which has been proved wrong to (some) extent by this government. Now it's a turn of people to decide where they want to go and take Bihar from here.

This will be no ordinary election in Bihar but a historic one. For this will prove whether Biharis are themselves to blame (as is pointed out in other parts of the country) or their leaders have failed them! They have to choose whether they want to remain mired in the chicken-pox politics or take a march to their rightful place in this country and in the history. Whether they put their own welfare above their emotions(read caste).

Much has already been said about Bihar and Biharis. Lets see whether they pass this litmus taste or not!!

P.S: Kudos to Bihartimes for adding the much needed DISCLAIMER.

Alok Kumar Singh

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Superb.

Rahmatullah / Sahara tv , Noida

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This article is extremely disgusting ... Before the election why are you trying to influnence the stupid people who are voting on basis of caste ... Are you congress men ???
we (Bihar) are lagging because of caste discrimnation system. The congress has intensified the discrimnation of caste . If you are really a good jounaalist you would have the raised the congress real agenda which you would seen in Tytler list..

Being a responsible citizen and journalist ,can you please stop this non-sense.

Ravi Shankar

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Omer Hejazeen saheb, it seems you are immensely impressed with Nitish kumar's 'performance' then you should simply answer one question; would you like your children to get admitted in schools run by Nitish government , go to government hospitals for treatment and rely on electircity supplied by the respective boards? what 'rescue' you are talking maan! Nitish has created more trenches between communities than he can fill. sitting in uae and getting rosy daydreams is the funniest thing to do. as far soroor ahmad's article is considered; it is very well written academic analysis of bihar. there is always some scope to diagree but one cant' remain in denial mode for too long. it is another matter that you hate casteism but shutting your eyes wouldnot help in eradicating it. try to accept the bitter things only then you can swallow bitter pills and get disease free.

Haarriss Khan

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I got confirmed by my resources in Bihar about casteist sloganeering in Jagdeo Jayanti celebration. I guess leopard can't change his spots. I thought Nitish had left those dark days behind but it seems in Bihar's dirty politics casteist sloganeering is to stay.

But then what is alternative laloo/congress/paaswan combine.

I will take Nitish any day over the laloo/congress/paaswan combine. Best scenario wud be BJP further stregthened and Nitihs cut to smaller size so that his casteist nonsense remian in check and we get development without nonsense of caste politics

Anil Kanhaiya

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Nitish Kumar jee has been doing good work in the field of infrastructure, law and order and implementing central govt schemes like NREGA and education etc. Bihar which was almost dead saw atleast breathing was a good achievement for Biharis and we want to cheer it up. But this act of Nitish Kumar will tarnish his image for all. I watched some of the clippings on E-TV Bihar and it were not in good taste. Its not Suroor Ahmad who is saying this. This is the fact which Suroor has put in words. This was shown on Bihar based TV channels as well. Upendra's outburst and Nitish smiling and later Nitish not clarifying on his stand on such dirty slogans has left everybody in dismay. It was so venomous that two of the leaders had to leave the stage in the middle.
Nitish Kumar should clarify his stand as there is no need of smiling and keeping mum on such dirty slogans. There is no need of again starting the dispute in society where as we are talking about development.
I would like to thank Suroor for bringing this out to the notice of people like us who are 1000s of miles away. Same thing people in villages are murmering but I was not believing. We love Nitish, we want him to be in power but a hidden fear is worrying us that he himself should not curb his comming back.

Jitendar

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Biharis needs to love people from all Caste and Communities...Any one who can give solution to this vexed caste problem in Bihar is a certain candidate for the Nobel Prize..Do we have enough Intellectuals who can come out with such formula that pleases all...Basically the reason for the divide is Social, Finance and Not exposed to the World (Koop-Manduk) in large..If a dominant community feels by all these development and education and money coming to everyone it is diluting their old self believe of superiority, then how should we make them more rich, 10 times more affluent and use their experience in the benefit of the state..Similarily the section of the society which have always been ridiculed socially and financially, how to make them respect all and the in the same time educate them make them rich too...Some reformer needs to be created within us...Ultimately, if these two communities needs to love respect and leave in harmony and in the same time grow exponentially together and become rich and happy...May be this is utopia..but needs to happen..

Emerging Bihar has bigger battle to fight, the Sena's, the Chouhans, the Assamese anti bihari elements, and even Ms S. Dikshit..and for that we need Lallan's and Kushwaha's and Laloo's and Nitish's...Hope we do not forget our bigger goal...

Sharad Mohan
New Jersey, USA

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Saroor ahmed, Upendra Kushwaha or Nitish Kumar??? Who is wrong here… I think all of the three guys. Nitish must know that he can receive the same fate as of Chandra Babu Naidu. On the name of development he just cant become a dictator… no he cant!!! Bihar has no dearth of good sons… so what if the state is tired of Lalu and others… Nitish must remember that “inclusive” growth is the only way out. I don’t understand why does he want to provoke a particular caste? Grow up Nitish... dont act like a king of "Nand" dynasty.

Don’t want to comment about Upendra Kushwaha… he doesn’t even look or sound like a literate person.

And Saroor Ahmed has done the magic here… I think Saroor wants all forward caste to vote for congress… Muslims are already with congress… if congress gets forward caste vote… Nitish will get the tight slap in the coming election. Isn’t it true Saroor ji?

Ram K Ojha

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Nothing is going to harm Mr. Nitish Kumar in forthcoming election. He is man with visions.
The type of journalism Mr. Suroor Ahmad is doing will not benefit Bihar. He is living in 90s, when there was Jungle Raj. Mr. Ajay you should discourage this kind of anti development writings. You have taken one step to disassociate from this kind of senseless thoughts, but my request is that your should take one more step further and stop this kind of articles forever. The term “Freedom of expressions” shouldn’t be misused by the likes of Mr. Ahmad.
If Mr. Ahmad can see, he must realize overall development taking place in Bihar. The positive feels of people.
We are thankful to Mr. Nitish Kumar that he has rescued us.
We as common people of Bihar should give Mr. Nitish Kumar another term.

Omer Hejazeen
United Arab Emirates

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I am very upset to see your magazine's approach toward reader's opinion and views of a particular writer. If you go through all the articles written by Soroor Ahmed, you will find he is anti-progress and pro-casteism. His views always present a reverse view of changes taking in Bihar. When everybody is talking about development should be only agenda when electing any government, Soroor Ahmed tries show caste can be only agenda.

In my opinion openness of media to all views is a great thing. But, in the name of openness of opinions, if you repeat same distorted view very strongly, reader's accept it as real after some time. So, before making a view as a news item, you must check the motive behind the view. As, any view presented in your magazine can impact the thinking of reader, and harm the larger interest of state.

I am having another concern about my comments, which never appeared or appeared with some editing. If you are open about views, then you must open about comments as well, if they are not vulgar.
Bicharon ki aazadi ka yah katiye matlab nahi hai, ki ham samaj ko apne aazad khayalon ka gulam bana de.

Amarendra Kishore

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Prabhunath - Lalan failed to damage Nitish Kumar but Upendra did a magic and much 'Gain' for Nitish Kumar . On behalf of Development pro 'Non Resident Bihari ' I wish Nitish Kumar all best wishes in this election year . He must know that such attendance in such rally can destroy what he earned last 4 years . Rest , He himself equipped with finest brains like IAS R C P Sinha so every step must be enough calculated .

Ranjan Rituraj Singh