10 months ago
Bihar Youth Angry Over Corruption, But Caste Politics May Dampen Electoral Impact
Imagine you have a favorite toy, but it’s broken and the grown-ups who are supposed to fix it don’t listen.
That’s how many young people in a part of India called Bihar feel about their government.
They see their neighbors in Nepal, another country, get really upset and demand new leaders, and they think, ‘Hey, we are angry too!’
They are tired of unfairness, like people asking for bribes, and not having enough jobs.
They wish things were different and hoped that voting could bring about a big change, just like in Nepal.
But here’s the tricky part: in Bihar, people often vote based on which family group (called caste) they belong to, not just on what issues are important.
This makes it hard for everyone to agree and vote for the same changes.
So, even though many young people are very angry, they aren’t sure if their votes will actually lead to the big changes they want.
Young voters in Bihar's border regions are expressing significant anger over corruption and lack of opportunities, inspired by Nepal's recent revolution.
Despite widespread discontent with the ruling government, many young people are doubtful that voting will lead to substantial change due to entrenched caste politics.
Issues like unfulfilled government schemes and unvisited local representatives are contributing to voter frustration.
Caste considerations are identified as a major barrier preventing young people from uniting on common issues and influencing electoral outcomes.
Some young individuals are disillusioned with the political process, feeling that personal struggles for livelihood leave them with little time or hope for political engagement.
- Who
- Young voters in Bihar's border regions, including Anuj Kumar, Uday Kumar Yadav, Kamlesh Kumar, Deepak Kumar, Manish Kumar, Hasan Ansari, and Bharosh Yadav.
- What
- Expressing anger and frustration over corruption, lack of jobs, and unfulfilled promises, drawing parallels with the recent revolution in Nepal. However, many are skeptical about the impact of their votes due to entrenched caste politics.
- Where
- Bordering regions of Bihar, specifically Sitamarhi district, including towns and villages like Sitamarhi's Coaching Mandi, Chhotki Bhitha, Bindhi, and Sutihari village.
- When
- Leading up to the state elections in Bihar, with comparisons drawn to the recent revolution in Nepal.
- Why
- Frustration stems from perceived corruption, a lack of government jobs, migration, and a belief that caste considerations override other issues, preventing meaningful political change.
Key facts
- Region Focus
- North Bihar border regions, including Sitamarhi district
- Key Issues Mentioned
- Corruption, lack of jobs, migration, caste politics, unfulfilled government schemes
- Nepal Revolution Comparison
- Youth in Nepal tired of corruption, leading to change; similar sentiment in Bihar
- Electoral Sentiment
- Restlessness for change, but doubt on electoral impact due to caste and lack of viable options
- Current Ruling Coalition
- BJP-JDU alliance
- Opposition Party
- Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
Quotes
Uday Kumar Yadav
A 22-year-old undergraduate student of Chemistry from Bindhi, a village in Sitamarhi.
“Why should it not inspire us when it is so close to us? People were upset so the whole government changed there. But here, no matter what happens, nothing changes.”
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“If things don’t change this time, there will be a Nepal-like situation here. The youth is very angry. For how long must we suffer?”
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Anuj Kumar
A 28-year-old salesman for a chemical manufacturer in Janakpur, Nepal, and a resident of Chhotki Bhitha village in Sitamarhi, Bihar.
“There is no difference between the situation of the youth in Nepal and Bihar. Young people there were tired of corruption. It is the same here.”
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“There is nothing to be gained from voting.”
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A 29-year-old soldier
A soldier working in the army and a resident of Anuj Kumar's village, who requested anonymity.
“Unlike Nepal, we can’t just change leaders. I am a Bharatiya Janata Party supporter but I will have to vote for Janata Dal (United) because of their alliance. I like Nitish, but his time is up. He should make way for someone younger.”
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“The JDU candidate who won from here last time never visited once in five years. Have you heard of Sunil Kumar Pintu [former MP and BJP candidate from Sitamarhi assembly constituency this time]? People want to beat him up.”
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Kamlesh Kumar
A 28-year-old who runs a pan shop in Sutihara village, Parihar.
“We need protests like those in Nepal to fix our politicians.”
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Deepak Kumar
A 21-year-old who runs an education consultancy business in Sitamarhi.
“The Gen Z in Bihar is asleep. Caste determines how everybody votes here. Yadavs will only vote for Yadavs. Bhumihars pick their own leaders. There is no unity in Bihar.”
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Manish Kumar
A 28-year-old wedding planner in Janakpur, Nepal, originally from Sursand assembly constituency.
“In Bihar, there is no youth like Nepal. There are only the unemployed. People have to struggle so much to make a living here that they can’t find time for anything else.”
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Hasan Ansari
A 23-year-old pharmacy student from Chakni village, Sursand.
“We don’t care about politics.”
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Bharosh Yadav
A 23-year-old pharmacy student from Chakni village, Sursand.
“I have no hopes from the government. I know that I will have to fend for myself. Politics will not help me.”
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Sources
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