RJD leader Rabri Devi’s renewed demand for Mithila statehood has electrified Bihar’s political discourse, spotlighting a region long celebrated for its cultural richness yet stymied by poverty and chronic neglect. By raising the prospect of statehood for Mithilanchal—a region spanning 20 districts and home to one-third of Bihar’s population—the former Chief Minister has laid down a political gauntlet, aimed squarely at the BJP-led NDA.
Her call coincides with the Centre’s release of a Maithili translation of the Constitution, a move that BJP leaders have touted as a gesture of respect for the Maithili-speaking populace.
The Mithila region is a paradox. Renowned globally for its Madhubani art and its cultural legacy, it suffers from abysmal socio-economic indicators. Recurrent floods devastate its agrarian economy, and a burgeoning population exacerbates its struggles. The demand for Mithila statehood, first articulated in 1912 during the bifurcation of Bihar from Bengal, has simmered on the margins of public discourse for decades, championed intermittently by cultural activists and regional leaders. Rabri Devi’s intervention marks the first time a senior, non-Mithila politician has embraced the cause.
The inclusion of Maithili in the Eighth Schedule in 2003 was a milestone, celebrated as the culmination of a century-long struggle for linguistic identity, championed by activists and backed by political leaders. Yet, two decades later, promises of development and cultural revival remain unfulfilled. Maithili has languished, with token measures like primary school instruction and support for the Maithili Academy falling by the wayside due to lack of funds and political will. This neglect stems from a calculated resistance to dilute Hindi’s dominance.
The Mithilanchal gambit also plays directly into Bihar’s electoral matrix. With Mithilanchal accounting for over 100 of the state’s 243 assembly seats, the RJD-led Opposition bloc is clearly eyeing a pivotal region where the BJP has a significant foothold. By championing statehood, the RJD seeks to upend the BJP’s narrative, positioning itself as the true custodian of Maithili aspirations. The BJP, which has historically touted its commitment to cultural pride—having added Maithili to the Eighth Schedule under Atal Bihari Vajpayee—may find itself on the defensive.
The call for statehood is not without its ironies. Rabri Devi’s husband, Lalu Prasad Yadav, famously opposed the creation of Jharkhand, declaring its bifurcation from Bihar would happen only over his dead body. When Jharkhand was ultimately carved out in 2000 under pressure from Congress, Lalu’s political authority was dented. Rabri Devi now faces a similar reckoning. Would the creation of Mithila invigorate the region or further fragment Bihar’s administrative and economic capabilities?
The BJP’s immediate response has been tepid, with leaders emphasizing the cultural value of the Maithili Constitution but avoiding the politically volatile statehood debate. This silence may not hold for long, as the INDIA bloc, of which the RJD is a key member, appears poised to amplify the demand ahead of the 2025 elections. Tejashwi Yadav, Rabri Devi’s son and the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, has already proposed the establishment of a Mithila Development Authority, signalling the RJD’s intent to anchor its campaign in the aspirations of Mithilanchal.
Yet, practical hurdles loom large. Statehood would require not just political consensus within Bihar but also approval from the Centre, which has been reticent about new state creations in recent years. Moreover, could Mithila sustain itself independently, or would it require substantial federal assistance, potentially mirroring Jharkhand’s struggles post-bifurcation?
The RJD’s gambit seeks to transform an enduring cultural aspiration into a potent political strategy. Rabri Devi’s call has revived an old question: Is statehood the panacea for regional neglect, or does it risk compounding the challenges of governance?
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