C Ashok Bharti, the chairman of NACADOR, an organization representing Dalits and tribals, has voiced significant concerns regarding the ongoing struggles of Dalit communities in Bihar. He states that Dalits remain significantly backward in the state, and this dissatisfaction could influence their support in upcoming elections. Bharti notes that both the NDA and the Grand Alliance are actively trying to win over Dalit voters with promises and sops.
Highlighting the demographics, Bharti points out that one in every five people in Bihar belongs to Scheduled Castes (SCs). He reports widespread dissatisfaction among Dalits due to critical livelihood issues. Despite the government’s infrastructure development projects, the benefits have largely bypassed Dalits, leaving them displaced without adequate employment or land. Bharti believes a considerable portion of the SC community might alter their voting allegiances.
When asked about the attack on Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and its potential as a poll issue, Bharti drew a parallel to the general sense of insecurity among Dalits. He mentioned recent incidents, including the suicide of an IPS officer in Haryana and the lynching of Hari Om Valmiki in Raebareli, emphasizing that Dalits seek dignity. Bharti asserted, “If the Chief Justice of India is not safe, if an IPS officer is not safe, then a poor, common man is not safe at all.”
Commenting on Mayawati’s praise for the BJP-led UP government, Bharti felt she missed a strategic opportunity. He observed that while her rally was large and she acknowledged the upkeep of the Kanshi Ram memorial, her core voter base is generally opposed to Hindutva politics. He noted the trend of Dalit intellectuals moving towards Buddhism or Christianity, suggesting Mayawati could have leveraged this sentiment better.
Addressing the socio-economic disparities, Bharti confirmed that the SC population in Bihar lags behind the national average in areas like literacy, land ownership, and government jobs. He criticized political parties for their “tokenism” and for failing to implement development paradigms that recognize societal fault lines and cater to the specific needs of different caste groups. He cited statistics showing that only 1.3% of Dalits in Bihar hold government jobs and merely 21% have full-time employment.
Regarding the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar among Dalit voters, Bharti acknowledged their high visibility. However, he also pointed to concerning data from the NCRB, indicating that 48% of rape cases against Dalit women in the last three years occurred in Bihar. He also stated that atrocities against Dalits have increased and 57% of SCs are landless. While acknowledging government efforts, Bharti stressed that they are insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues.