Story Brunch
Jungle Raaj is the term we often hear for Bihar of the 1990s. What does it actually mean? How could a state in a modern democracy be a Jungle Raaj’. What did Lalu Yadav’s rule in Bihar mean for the state residents?
In the tapestry of Bihar’s history, the 1990s stand out as a period draped in tumult and trepidation, a time often whispered about in the corridors of memory as the “Jungle Raaj.” But what does this term, evocative of lawlessness and chaos, truly encapsulate? The reign of Lalu Yadav during this era is a tale of paradoxes, where a land steeped in the ethos of democracy bore witness to an unfolding narrative that seemed anything but democratic.
Through the lens of StoryBrunch , one peers into the heart of this era, a time when Bihar’s societal fabric seemed to fray under the weight of a faltering law and order machinery. Unlike its counterparts, which marched towards economic progress, Bihar found itself ensnared in a quagmire of extortion, kidnappings, and a burgeoning industry of contract killings. The allure of the underworld seduced many a youth, as Bahubalis—symbols of might and fear—cast long shadows over the bustling towns of Mokama, Barhaiya, Begusarai, Aurangabad, and Jehanabad.
Among the pantheon of dreaded figures, Mohammed Shahabuddin’s name loomed large, a specter of fear that haunted the state’s collective consciousness. The list of such Bahubalis was extensive, with names like Sunil Pandey, Guddu Mukhiya, Rajan Tiwari, Bhuttan Shukla, and Pappu Yadav becoming synonymous with an era marked by brute force and unchecked power.
Amidst this chaos, families who could afford to, sent their children away to safer havens like Delhi or Bengaluru for education, hoping to shield them from the pervasive atmosphere of uncertainty and dread that gripped the state. The state’s economy bled as a result, with the exodus of many Marwari and Bengali families who once contributed to its prosperity.
In a chilling call to arms, veiled in the rhetoric of caste politics, Lalu Yadav’s infamous slogan “BHURA BAAL HATAO” echoed through the rally stages, igniting the flames of caste wars and genocides that would mar the decade. The Naxal movement, reaching its zenith during this period, became a harbinger of death and destruction, as factions like MCC, PWG, and Ranvir Sena painted the state red with the blood.
The nights in the Gaya-Nawada-Jehanabad-Aurangabad belt were marked by vigilant eyes scanning the darkness from terraces, as the villagers armed themselves against the marauding Naxalites who laid claim to the harvests sown by others.
Women’s safety plummeted to abysmal lows, with the setting sun bringing with it the fear of abduction and violation. The tragic tale of Shilpi Jain, entangled with the nefarious Sadhu Yadav yet unresolved, remains a grim reminder of the perils that lurked in the shadows.
The very fabric of society seemed to unravel as even the guardians of the law, like Gopalganj DM G Krishnaiah, fell victim to the mob’s fury, a stark portrayal of the anarchy that ruled.
Lalu’s era was marked not just by the financial scams that grabbed headlines but by a more insidious legacy of fear, violence, and division that tore at the heart of Bihar. The wounds inflicted during this period, both visible and invisible, have left scars that the state continues to heal from, a testament to a chapter in its history that many would rather forget.
In this somber narrative, one finds not just the story of a state’s struggle but a cautionary tale of the cost of political neglect and the resilience of a people yearning for peace and prosperity amidst the storm.
Under his rule, the sons of his party MLA Hemlata Yadav raped wife and other relatives of an IAS officer without any fear. (Champa Biswas case) The case could come to light only when she wrote a letter to NWC.
Imagine the plight and misery of common girls and women when it could happen to the wife and mother of a high-ranking officer.
Lalu’s rule ensured that no parents wanted their children to ever return to the land. Settling in Bihar was considered a sign of inefficacy and failure.
Why would anyone come back after all when the conditions had been deteriorating day by day?
Fodder scams, uniform scams, etc. are a few of the scams that hit Bihar during his tenure. But these financial scams were nothing compared to other heinous crimes which flourished under his rule.
It was an era of sheer upper-backward castes polarisation, rigging of ballot boxes, booth capturing, and fear of being killed while casting ballots which stopped many from exercising their right to votes, which led to his long uninterrupted rule in Bihar.
Bihar will take ages to recover from the wounds of the 1990s.
Let’s delve into some of the most harrowing criminal episodes that unfolded during the tenure of the Lalu-Rabri administration in Bihar. These stories will shed light on the extent of the degradation in law and order during this period, offering insights into the grim reality faced by the residents of the state at that time.
DM of Gopalganj G Krishnaiah Murder
The year 1994 marked a pivotal chapter in his life as he assumed the mantle of District Magistrate of Gopalganj. It was in this capacity that destiny would deal its cruelest hand. During the funeral procession of the notorious Chhotan Shukla, a tempest of violence erupted. A mob, frenzied and vast, led by the now-forgotten figure of Anand Mohan, founder of the erstwhile BPP, unleashed their fury upon Krishnaiah’s carriage as he journeyed back to Gopalganj from a meeting of great import.
The mob, in a display of merciless barbarity, extracted him from his sanctuary on wheels, subjecting him to a barrage of stones and blows, culminating in a tragic demise by gunfire. Anand Mohan would later be held to account for this heinous act, convicted for the murder of a man who was not just an officer but a beacon of hope for many.
In a twist of fate, on the 10th of April, 2023, the Bihar government, in a move that stirred the still waters of justice, amended the Prison Manual of 2012. This amendment to Rule 481 paved the way for Mohan’s release, along with twenty-six others who had served sentences spanning from fourteen to twenty years.
Champa Biswas Rape Case
In a grievous chapter of injustice that unfolded between the years 1996 and 1997, Champa Biswas, the spouse of BB Biswas, an esteemed officer of the Indian Administrative Service from the 1982 batch, found herself ensnared in a harrowing ordeal. BB Biswas, who was serving as the Director of Social Security in the Labor Department of Bihar at the time, could scarcely have foreseen the turmoil that was to beset his family.
The allegations set forth by Champa Biswas were of a profoundly disturbing nature, implicating Mritunjay Yadav, a progeny of the political sphere, borne of RJD Leader Hemlata Yadav, along with his associates. The accusation did not stop with Champa; it extended to encompass her mother, her sister-in-law, two domestic workers in her employ, and her niece Kalyani, painting a grim tableau of systemic abuse.
Champa Biswas’ recounting of the events to the National Human Rights Commission and the then Governor of Bihar was a litany of horrors: a series of sexual assaults marred by violence, coercion, and deceit, with the vile promise of government employment dangled as bait. The trauma inflicted upon her was further compounded by the anguish of an abortion, followed by the desperate measure of sterilization, undertaken in a bid to forestall the possibility of conceiving from such repeated violations.
The shadow of despair cast by these events was further darkened by the mysterious disappearance of Kalyani and the two maidservants, leaving a lingering fear of their possible demise or worse, driven to the brink by the weight of their suffering.
Prompted by the grave nature of these allegations, the governor took swift action, calling upon the Union Home Ministry to intervene decisively against those accused.
In the backdrop of this tragedy, the political landscape was marked by the prominence of Mritunjay’s mother, Hemlata Yadav, not only as an MLA but also as the chairperson of the Bihar Social Welfare Advisory Board, while Mritunjay himself was known for his political activism within the RJD and his literary tribute to Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Shilpi Jain- Gautam Singh Rape and Murder Case
The Shilpi Gautam Murder Case, an enigmatic and unresolved tragedy, unfolded in Bihar during a tumultuous period marked by political upheaval and lawlessness. It was a time when the Patna High Court had infamously branded the state as “jungle raj,” a term that underscored the chaotic governance prevailing then. The backdrop for this case was set during the transition of power from Lalu Prasad Yadav, who stepped down amid the fodder scam, to his wife, Rabri Devi. This shift saw a significant rise in the political influence of Rabri Devi’s brother, Sadhu Yadav, an RJD MLA with considerable sway in the party dynamics.
Gautam Singh, a 27-year-old aspiring politician, ventured into the RJD’s youth wing, seeking a future in Bihar’s political landscape. His connections were notable, with ties to influential RJD figures, including Sadhu Yadav. Gautam and Sadhu’s acquaintance extended beyond politics into business ventures, including a shared restaurant.
The narrative took a grim turn when Gautam introduced Shilpi Jain, a close friend and purported girlfriend, to the political elite at a function attended by Sadhu Yadav. Shilpi, a 23-year-old Miss Patna and college graduate, was last seen heading to her computer course before her disappearance under mysterious circumstances. The subsequent discovery of her and Gautam’s bodies in a compromising state in a garage allegedly linked to Sadhu Yadav sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice, implicating high-profile political figures in the crime.
Amidst the clamor for a thorough investigation, the case was handed over to the CBI by the Rabri Devi government. As per the reports Shilpi Jain was violated by many men before she was killed. Despite initial leads and demands for DNA evidence from Sadhu Yadav, the case gradually faded from public attention, with the CBI eventually recommending its closure due to insufficient evidence, leaving many questions unanswered and justice elusive for Shilpi and Gautam.
Shahabuddin- The Terror of Siwan
Mohammad Shahabuddin’s life story reads like a grim tale from a bygone era, where lawlessness and power interwove to cast a long shadow over the district of Siwan, Bihar. His career, a blend of politics and notoriety, began at a tender age of 19 when the first criminal case was registered against him. Shahabuddin’s ascension from a local muscleman to a four-term Member of Parliament under the banner of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) was marked by a series of egregious acts that seemed to challenge the very fabric of law and order in the region.
His reign in Siwan was characterized by a brazen disregard for the law, where he was known to run a parallel administration, resolving disputes and dictating terms in a manner that seemed to supplant the official machinery. The police and administrative officials often found themselves powerless, their authority undermined by Shahabuddin’s influence and the fear he commanded among the populace. His stronghold was such that, even from the confines of a hospital or jail, he continued to wield significant influence, orchestrating election campaigns and ensuring his victories through intimidation and alleged booth capturing.
The depth of Shahabuddin’s entrenchment in the criminal world was laid bare in a police raid in April 2005, which uncovered a cache of illegal arms, including AK-47s and military-grade weaponry, some bearing the markings of foreign ordnance factories. This discovery not only highlighted his connections with illicit arms networks but also raised alarming questions about his ties with external intelligence agencies.
The scenario in Bihar during Shahabuddin’s time paints a grim picture of how the law and order situation can deteriorate when individuals with criminal backgrounds gain political power. His activities not only instilled fear and despondency among the citizens but also served as a stark reminder of the challenges that arise when the boundaries between crime and politics blur. The state, under the shadow of such ‘Bahubalis,’ faced a critical test of its resolve to uphold justice and governance, often struggling to assert the rule of law against the formidable nexus of crime and political influence.
Crimes of RJD Leader and MP Taslimuddin
The Member of Parliament in question was embroiled in a litany of criminal allegations, with his name appearing in no fewer than 16 separate cases encompassing a range of offenses from robbery and arson to rape and dacoity. A particularly distressing account involved an incident reported under the Indian Penal Code section 342 for wrongful confinement. According to an eyewitness account, the MP, along with two accomplices, was said to have taken a young Santhali girl to his residence, where they consumed alcohol and subjected her to a night of unspeakable acts.
During the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda’s administration in 1996, he ascended to the position of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, a significant elevation attributed to the influence of Lalu Prasad Yadav. His political trajectory continued to rise, holding the roles of Minister of Agriculture and Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution from 2004 to 2009 under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s leadership.
This backdrop of criminality casts a long shadow over the state of Bihar, particularly when considering the involvement of a figure so entrenched in the political landscape. The fact that an individual of such prominence within the RJD, a major political entity, could engage in such egregious conduct is a damning indictment of the law and order situation in the region during this period. It underscores a troubling era where the lines between political power and criminal impunity were blurred, raising serious questions about the governance and the very fabric of societal norms.
Open Loot During Lalu’s Daughter’s Wedding
The wedding of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s second daughter, Rohini, to Rao Ranvijay Singh’s son, a distinguished income-tax official from Mumbai, transformed into a grand affair that resonated differently across various sections of society. The celebration saw the arrival of the groom, Rao Samresh Singh, in a ceremonial procession at 1 Anne Marg in Patna, amidst the grandeur of over 25,000 guests and a lively atmosphere.
However, the festivities had a darker side for the local business community. Many shops were shut down as a part of the wedding preparations, with some employees being relocated to other cities. There were reports of vehicles being commandeered from showrooms by individuals believed to be acting under Lalu’s influence, causing significant distress among traders and showroom owners who feared reprisals.
The police, allegedly under instructions from higher-ups, turned a blind eye to these actions, resulting in no immediate efforts to recover the commandeered vehicles. Although the vehicles were eventually returned, the episode left a lasting impact on the local business community, with many customers hesitant to purchase the cars that had been used during the wedding.
Additionally, the wedding saw extravagant decorations, including the appropriation of furniture from local showrooms to adorn the venue, mimicking the grandeur of Mumbai’s Taj Hotel. Even the groom’s village received infrastructural upgrades, such as electricity and telephone lines, specifically for the occasion.
Despite the return of the vehicles, the incident left a sour taste for many, highlighting the vast gap between the power dynamics at play and the everyday struggles of the local business owners.
Naxal Violence and Caste Wars
During Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure in Bihar, the state was embroiled in a complex web of caste-based violence, marked by a series of brutal massacres that underscored deep-rooted social and economic disparities. The landscape of Bihar during this era was a battleground for various caste militias, with the Ranvir Sena, formed by the upper-caste Bhumihars, and Naxalite groups like the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and CPI(M-L) Liberation at the forefront of these conflicts.
The violence was not merely sporadic clashes but involved organized massacres that targeted specific caste groups, leading to horrific incidents like the Dalelchak-Baghaura and Laxmanpur Bathe massacres, where scores of individuals were killed in cold blood. These incidents were often retaliatory, with Naxalite groups targeting upper-caste communities in response to perceived injustices and exploitation, particularly over land and agricultural disputes.
The Naxalite movement, which sought to mobilize lower-caste peasants against upper-caste landlords, intensified the violence by attacking and killing upper-caste individuals, including Bhumihars, and seizing their land and harvest. This led to a vicious cycle of revenge attacks, further entrenching the caste divide and contributing to a climate of fear and lawlessness. In response to naxal attacks Bhumihars raised a private militia called Ranvir Sena which retaliated against naxals and naxal supporters.
The Senari, Afsar, and Miyanur massacres, among others, were stark reminders of the volatile caste dynamics in Bihar during this period. These incidents were characterized by extreme brutality, including mass killings and arson, often leaving entire villages in mourning and deepening the chasm between different caste communities.
The state’s response to this violence was often criticized for being inadequate or biased, with law enforcement agencies either unable or unwilling to intervene effectively. This perceived impunity emboldened caste militias and contributed to the escalation of violence.
Click below to read about caste wars and Ranvir Sena during Jungle Raj in Bihar-
Conclusion
The term “Jungle Raj” remains an indelible mark on Bihar’s history, serving as a stark reminder of the tumultuous era under the Lalu-Rabri government. Characterized by rampant lawlessness, this period was rife with instances of crime, violence, and a breakdown of social order, casting a long shadow over the state’s governance and its people’s sense of security. The legacy of this time, marked by the rise of Bahubalis and unchecked criminal activities, underscores the critical importance of effective law enforcement and accountable governance.
FAQs
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