Patna

On the final day of Bihar’s monsoon assembly session on Friday, RJD MLA Vijay Mandal’s use of the term Bhathiyara triggered a major uproar. Mandal used the term in criticism of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the state government. Although he didn’t directly name the Chief Minister, the term was perceived as derogatory by ruling party members.

The ruling party accused Mandal of using inappropriate language, but Mandal defended his choice of words, arguing that they were aimed at highlighting issues like corruption and crime under the current administration. He pointed out that bribery and daily murders are not being addressed by the government, and accused the administration of stifling opposition voices on these issues.

PHED Minister Neeraj Kumar Bablu called for action against Mandal, stressing the need for decorum and respect in the assembly. The term Bhathiyara refers to a particular caste in Bihar and can be considered offensive. Despite its controversial nature, it seems to have become somewhat normalized in public discussions, even within the Bhathiyara community.

The Bhathiyara community, numbering around 27,263 according to a caste-based survey, makes up less than one percent of Bihar’s population. They are classified as an extremely backward class in Bihar and as a backward class in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Historically, they were brought to India by the Mughals.