The killing of the Ranvir Sena chief and the violence it triggered expose the fragile foundations of Nitish Kumar's ‘new Bihar'
The assassination of Brahmeshwar Singh alias Mukhiya, founder of Ranvir Sena, the dreaded private army of upper caste Bhumihars, raises fears of the revival of “Barbaric Bihar”. From the first major massacre of Dalits in Belchi in 1977 to the killings in Mianpur in 2000 by socially dominant castes and classes, the careers of the violent, antisocial, anti-Naxal commanders of caste sena reveal the blurred distinction between crime and politics in contemporary Bihar. While Ramadhar Singh, chief of ‘Diamond Sena'(a precursor of Ranvir Sena), opted for a career as a small-time arms smuggler in his hometown, Baiju Yadav, commander of the notorious Yadav ‘Lorik Sena', became a member of the State Assembly on an RJD ticket in the 1990s. On the other hand, Brahmeshwar Singh's plan to play a larger political role after his release from prison in April ended as it did for Laddu Singh, the commander of the Kurmi militia ‘Bhumi Sena', in violent death. Brahmeshwar Singh did contest parliamentary elections from Ara jail in 2004. Pitted against his bête noire, the legendary Naxal leader Ram Naresh Singh, and Lalu Yadav's protégée Kanti Singh, he secured 1, 48,957 votes and came third.
Known as Gandhi among his followers in central Bihar and khooni (bloodthirsty) among the lower castes, the Ranvir Sena chief was killed either a result of old rivalries and factional warfare, or for reasons linked to his recent acquittal in the 1996 Bathani Tola massacre. The less than spontaneous street violence and vandalism by Mukhiya's supporters in Ara and the mindless violence during his funeral in the capital city of Patna indicate the pervasiveness of the politics of caste revenge and hatred in Bihar. The demand for a CBI enquiry into the killing by political parties and supporters of Ranvir Sena is indicative of the status of caste militias.
A PUDR document in the 1990s titled “Bitter harvest” documented the cosy relationship between the Ranvir Sena and leading political parties, especially the BJP and the Samata Party in Bihar. The gunning down of Mukhiya, the mastermind of several bloodthirsty massacres including the gruesome Laxampur Bathe massacre in which 62 Dalit men, women and children were butchered in December 1997, is a violent reminder of the fragile foundations of Nitish Kumar's Sushashan and Naya Bihar. In retrospect, Nitish Kumar's decision in 2006 to scrap the Amir Das Commission, set up to probe Ranvir Sena's role in the Bathe massacre and alleged complicity of several big politicians with the Sena, has come to haunt him.
Most of the major sena that arose in the late 1970s and disintegrated by the late 1980s comprised the upper castes and the upwardly mobile backward castes. Militias such as Sunlight Sena (Rajputs), Bhumi Sena (Kurmis), Kisan Sangh (Yadavs) and Diamond Sena (Bhumihars) primarily emerged as violent and voluntary organisations of landlord-turned-capitalist farmers, kulak-type erstwhile tenants and upwardly mobile groups in central Bihar. They came up in the region described as “flaming field” and were pitted against the combined uprising of Naxals and Dalits. As Bihar entered a turbulent phase of post-Mandal politics in the 1990s, state power initially hobbled and tottered, and finally surrendered to the combined might of insurgent caste warriors, resurgent class revolutionaries, dreaded caste sena and diehard criminals.
The origin of the Ranvir Sena is shrouded in myths and legends. According to local narratives, it is named after the 19th century Bhumihar warrior Ranvir Choudhary who fought against local Rajput landlords for Bhumihar supremacy and honour. Bhumihars in Belaur in Ara district have built a temple in his memory. The CPI (ML)'s literature, on the other hand, traces the origins to a class conflict over daily wages and blockades of Bhumihar and other farmers in the region. After its 1994 formation in Belaur, Brahmeshwar Singh fought a bitter factional struggle with leaders of the so-called Belaur Committee and emerged as supreme leader.
The first massacre by Ranvir Sena took place in Khopirya on April 4, 1995 in which three lower caste people were killed; but its first big strike was at Bathani Tola in the Bhojpur district in July 1996 in which 21 Dalit Naxal supporters were killed. Mukhiya carried a bounty of Rs.5 lakh on his head; the police caught him twice, in 1998 and 1999, but released him for want of proper identification. He claimed to own about 60 acres of land but preferred to describe himself a “farmer” with modest means. His preference for Hinduvta, a fascination for Atal Bihari Vajpayee and hatred for lower castes was well known. In 2004, along with 97 prisoners and supporters of Ranvir Sena, he went on a strike for a separate kitchen for upper caste inmates in Ara district jail.
Despite being part of a relatively longer history of private caste sena, the Ranvir Sena differs from its precursor militias in more than one way. It is not only the most ruthless and violent but, unlike the earlier sena, it also has a well articulated ideological, organisational, political and leadership structure. Brahmeshwar Singh turned Ranvir Sena into a paramilitary machine and de facto political organisation with his superior organisational skills and guerrilla warfare tactics. He was also said to have established a monthly salary-based recruitment strategy for cadres and mobilised financial resources from a countrywide network of friends and sympathisers. He was known to have guided Ranvir Sena's functioning even after his arrest in 2003. His appointee, Shamsher Singh, avenged his arrest by massacring five Dalits on January 3, 2004 in Pariyari Bigha Tola village in Arwal district.
Ranvir Sena has often been portrayed as an organisation of class warriors engaged in defending the agrarian and political interests of propertied classes in the countryside. But cadres of Ranvir Sena have also performed quasi-political functions by helping politicians win elections as well as attempted to restore purity and pollution norms of traditional caste society.
Facing political marginalisation due to the capture of political power by Mandal castes and social vulnerability in the face of militant assertion by oppressed castes, Ranvir Sena gradually transformed itself from “violent political entrepreneurs” to “community warriors” for defending not only their land from the armed bands of Maoists but also to protect their traditional caste status. It is tragic that followers of the glorious peasant movements of Swami Sahjanand who had prophesied the rise of the agrarian proletariat in the “flaming field” have become defenders of Ranvir Sena and mourn the death of the man who epitomised the most violent expression of Hinduvta and hatred for Dalits.
Nitish Kumar's most urgent task would be ensure justice to victims of the Bathani Tola massacre in 1996 and convert the “flaming fields” into long lasting granaries of India to fight hunger and starvation. If this is delayed further, the ethnocidal fury of caste mobs will once again rob Bihar's date with its promised liberation from misery.
(Ashwani Kumar is at the School of Development Studies, TISS, Mumbai, and is the author of Community Warriors; State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar, Anthem Press, London; 2008.)
Keywords: Brahmeshwar Singh assassination, Bihar violence
Who is real culprit Bhumihar or Dalit is clear from the fact that upper caste sena whether Ranvir or whatever for oppression of Dalits is a continuous process of 5000 years. Whereas Dalit retaliation in form of Naxal or whatever started only in 1970's. Bhumihar mentality is clear from Ganesh Gunjan comments "then again to protect yourself you have to form a group like this when the government is also against you, and sometime to remove the support for other organisation you have to made people fear.......". If we accept his argument then every villain in history was correct.
all those who kills and harms to the innocent people can't be called with respect. they may be god for their group/community/religion. they can call them with as much surname as they want. but not for the public. but digesting this will be difficult for their own community people.
While I agree to some of the opinions of author, I can also see the prejudice and one sided opinion. In reality there is nothing in black and white, its never good vs evil. When you hold positions in TISS and have capacity to write a opinion in a newspaper as respected as Hindu, Its expected to put the entire picture. The entire part of Naxals by Maoist is completely ignored, while those done by Ranvir sena is portrayed right from 1970. I repeat, I don't say maoist action justifies what is done by Ranvir sena but an article which will be read by entire nation has to present pictures of both side. But Then at the end its an opinion and not news and it can be one sided. The other prejudice author seems to have is against Nitish, where certain claims has been made loosely and being too suggestive. The other thing is Ranvir Sena is attributed to one caste which is not true in reality, it has support of other upper castes and also have people.
Totally one sided article. Just see how many inhuman killing has been done by MCC and other dalit supported org. I do not support killing of any innocent, then again to protect yourself you have to form a group like this when the government is also against you, and sometime to remove the support for other organisation you have to made people fear.......
We need an article penned by a more unbiased, sensible and respected author than this .
The killing of ranbir sena chief is just a part of a larger problem of politico-naxal nexus.
Unable to defend themselves from Naxalites terrorism, bhimuhars were forced to form a
sena. The author's bias is evident from the fact that he makes only a passing reference to
the naxals who are the real dreaded, brutal and barbaric force behind the current fragile
situation that exists in Bihar.
Some people on this forum are making comments on Hinduism that are misplaced and
senseless. Hinduism is the most liberal , free thinking religion. The current situation in bihar
is class warfare and do not drag religion into this.
The Bhumihars have not only been the intellectual torch bearers of the region and the country in the darkest of times but also have had every feather feather in the cap you claimed they didn't ! Have u heard of Mangal Pandey .......he was a Bhumihar !The rebellion of 1857 was primarily and essentially the rebellion of Bhumihar and Rajpoot roops against the British Where were others then ? Sleeping ? ...... Have u heard heard of Nobel laureate Sir V.S. Naipaul , he is descended through Bhumihars ! Have you heard the names of Sir Ganeshdutt Singh ......he was a Bhumihar ....Have u heard of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati ....he was a Bhumihar .....Have u heard of Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan .......he was a Bhumihar .......Have u heard of Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar ......he was a Bhumihar ..........Bihar Kesri Dr. Sri Krishna Singh was a Bhumihar .........the list is endless ......................your intellect isn't ........Widen your horizons ........
To some one who says that Bhumihar has not given any scientist . .
.nobel laureate . . . Dear friend, u are partlt right - look at our
contribution till 1965 - if u think necessary . . . after 1965 till
2005, Bihar government under different chief ministers - had single
agenda - to contain/ obstruct Bhumihars . . . thats why Bihar has not
progressed for last 5 - 6 decades and thats why at present u r talking
like this . . .
As usual, if some one writes about any social, socio - political
phenomenon while sitting away from it, being biased, preoccupied with
some fantasy of principles, thats how the article will be. I am
surprised that a phenomenon called naxalism, about whom our prime
minister says that its the biggest threat, but our media has no place
for the people who had the ability to reply and shut them down despite
of government playing a spoil sport! That was the time when Faruq
Abdulla had claimed that there are more deaths due to caste violence
in Bihar than due to terrorists' attacks in Kashmir! Giving suggestion
is my profession - I advice every one to not to smoke or take alcohol,
but I neither decide their fate whether they follow my advice or not
nor I give verdict. About violence, I will feel glad and the whole
society will be enlightened if the writer will reply why after muslim
invasion Buddhism in India was reduced to decimal or why Mahatma
Gandhi was not able to impress Nathu Ram Godse
Courageously recognising the menace of the senas is the first step in the right direction. The Hindu did just that instead of justifying acts of violence against the helpless.The audacious arrogance with which these senas perpetrate the heinous killings reveal the political clout and backing of a section of the society they enjoy.
The acquittal of the accused in Laxampur Bathe massacre of 62 Dalit men, women and children was the last straw adding to the suspicion of fairness of the decision. Justice Amir Das, head of the commission, revealed that several patrons who had masterminded the massacre were in power in Bihar then. No wonder Nitish Kumar disbanded the commission when NDA came to power.
That the sena existed to restore purity and pollution norms of traditional caste society and to protect traditional caste status to the extent of demanding separate kitchen for upper caste inmates in jail, and that the political system abets them in many ways, negates the 13% growth of Bihar
@Jeevs and @rahul - The alias is MukhiyaJI just like the alias KishanJI.
Get it? Its just the perspective you look from. Do you think the author will refer to the slain Maoist leader as Kishan?? The Maoist leader who by the way is no gentlemen either and has probably killed more people than Ranvir Sena chief.
How about a line about how Maoists and terrorize and kill upper caste people just like upper caste people kill dalits? That would take off the sheen of morally superiority and chip on the shoulder of the author.
The the emergence of various senas in Bihar can be traced back to the decline of a brahminical social order based on purity and the pollution. In the post independent era, the emerging Kulaks especially upwardly mobile intermediate castes posed serious threat in the supremacy of upper castes both in social and political terms. Upper castes organized senas to preserve their supremacy whereas intermediate castes organized themselves to protect their mobility. With the capture of state power by intermediate castes in 90s, actually a coalition of both (especially upper caste Ranvir sena and sunlight sena) turned towards venerable Dalits and lower strata of society. This is what symbolizes the 'harijan hunting' phase in 90s.Now Nitish Kumar faces a tough dilemma- since his party draws support from extremely backwards as well as upper castes especially Bhumihars- it is unclear how his Shushasan will bring justice for near and dear of those who has been hunted in the past.
@Sharmaji: Why pay respect to person who killed people like butcher.
Really a black spot on the humanity. "Mukhiaji"..lolzz.....
Why are we not talking about a nation wide movement to end anything by birth - be it caste or religion ? Cast was never supposed to be by birth as my understanding is. As a nation we need to stop reservation based on birth. Any advantages and help an Indian gets in India should be based on economic condition. A sincere effort to stop corruption and crime is the only way out of this. The story written is fascinating but sad that different people need to form an army - either to vandalize or for self defence - in a country that prides itself of culture.
Unless there is proper and impartial rule of law under which no one gets protected after commiting henious crimes like these, there is no hope for Bihar. One party will side with one sena and another party with another sena and depanding on who is in power, the cycle of violence will continue. Only a strong and committed leader can break this cycle of violence and bring these criminals to justice. As long as the common man feels the need to seek protection of these gangs rather than the Police, there is little hope.
Even though I am happy that a monster has been wiped off the face of
earth , The article is clearly biased .It does not mention the
killings of so called "higher caste" people by the Sena's belonging
to so called "lower caste". When we write history it should mention
all the sides of the events and one should not be selective .
now a CBI enquiry for killing this 'hatemonger' is just a farce on the democratic system, what about the justice of the people he killed ?
@rahul ji - 'Jee', for an emphasized 'Ji'? Sir, what do you lose in respecting even a criminal if he is elderly? Brahmeshwar Singh may have been a shame for you, but for most of Bhumihars, he was not so. I have described just one reason which pushed many to Ranvir Sena. If you are born in an agrarian Bhumihar family, do you have to be killed? Do you think being a Bhumihar is a crime? Do we not need to come out of our ghetto mindset and think global? Let us talk about a history that has something to be proud of, not just these gory incidents and shady characters. We have had too many of them already. Let us create situation that help shun violence. CM, Bihar, is doing well on this. There is no other alternative.
@Sharma Jee do not forget the cruel, inhumane killings - "a woman's breasts were chopped off while a pregnant woman's womb was slashed open and the foetus impaled on a sword". Please do not support a man who executed mass murders like a butcher in the name of caste.
I totally agree with VMN Sharma. Violence in all forms should be condemned. Victimising only one community and demonising the others will certainly not do any good.
@Sharma Jee-Even if I buy your theory of creation of Ranvir Sena,how would I buy your thought that Brahmeshwar Singh commanded respect & should be called Mukhiya jee?? A man who planned & executed mass murders of infants and women can never be an object of respect.He was a shame in the name of mankind & will continue to be till history remains.
The Bhumihars who form the bulk of middle & lower-middle class upper castes of Bihar & Eastern UP believe they are above all when they have nothing to show as real achievement. Not a single scientist like CV Raman or Chandra, not a single artist like MF Hussain, not a single economist like Amartya Sen, not a single nobel prize, olympic gold winner BUT AN EGO TALLER THAN THE MOUNT EVEREST !!! There are no huge Bhumihar owned business empire like Parsi Tata, Godrej or Gujarati Ambani's or Marwari Birla's but they think they are above all. Mukhiyaji ??? My foot respecting a petty thug, a petty criminal. I do not mean they dont have potential, it is there in huge quantity but all wasted in EGO WAR. They have a crab like mentality & take pride in keeping other Bihari's especially Dalits even more backward than making their own community progressive. Bhumihar's casteism is responsible for keeping Bihari's illeterate & Bihar backward.
What a gruesome act of man towards mankind.Post independence India is
still being ruled by evils of caste system,inequality.I fail to
understand why our political leaders are not focusing on development
rather than indulging in fatal vote bank politics. In fact we people
are also equally responsible as we too indulge in these acts knowingly
or unknowingly.Today's generation demands development of society infra
structurally as well as psychologically. Undoubtedly Youths are the
future of this country and they too should realize their duty and
refrain from indulging in such evil acts.It is not about one or two
folks but about us the citizens of world's largest democracy.Lets come
forward and put down our contributions for building a great and free
India !!
The article, read as a whole, is without a thrust. In fact, it is contradictory! The author, in the earlier part, states of "the blurred distinction between crime and politics in contemporary Bihar", "the cosy relationship between the Ranvir Sena and leading political parties, especially the BJP and the Samata Party in Bihar" and the fact that Nitish Kumar scrapped the "the Amir Das Commission, set up to probe Ranvir Sena's role in the Bathe massacre and alleged complicity of several big politicians with the Sena." And then, the author, in a bizarre fashion, concludes with a hope that this very Nitish Kumar government ensures "justice to victims of the Bathani Tola massacre in 1996 and convert the “flaming fields” into long lasting granaries of India to fight hunger and starvation"!! The author, seemingly an expert on this subject, could perhaps have analysed the nexus between caste wars (consisting of killings of upper caste folks as well) and the current crop of Bihar politicians.
Once again, I find one-sided view of Ranveer Sena being presented in a daily with nation-wide circulation. Despite not being a supporter of any sena or organization that indulges in violence, directly or indirectly, I find this column totally biased against Ranveer Sena. First, the columnist doesn't have the basic courtesy of respecting the elders - he uses 'Mukhia' in place of 'Mukhiyaji' as alias for Brahmeshwar Singh. Next, he conveniently ignores the mention of 'Six Inches Shorter' mission of the criminals used against Bhumihar Brahmins that primarily led to the creation of this outfit. If your wall has this mission written in red and the Govt (under Lalu) is supporting the writers, what option would you have? Your silence on Bara massacre of Bhumihars and the number of the casualties suffered by Bhumihars before the creation of Ranveer Sena, is deplorable. Why not demand justice for both, Bara and Bathani Tota victims? Spreading falsehood does not help anyone.
It is unfortunate caste suppression has returned to Buddha's birthplace with Hindutva and senas of barbaric violence. There is no other choice for the Dalits to choose Buddhism and non violence as an ideological base and fight it back.
A very fine article..I thank the author for giving a complete picture of the reality in Bihar. I feel people who claim to defend the cause of their community through violent means derive power from silent support from common people of that community, who actually believe in the cause and the means..it is this belief in common people which is more dangerous and powerful than the militias.
Please Email the Editor