As India completes its diamond jubilee as a republic, I am reminded of a statement by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, delivered during an address to the Bihar Chamber of Commerce in Patna on March 28, 2006. He said, “I have visited Bihar numerous times, and it has always been a source of happiness for me to meet the youth and farmers of Bihar. Bihar indeed possesses a great capital of knowledge, skills, and, above all, hard work. This capital has spread across many parts of our country and even many nations around the globe. The time has come for Bihar to transform into a developed state before 2015. We need all the best minds to partner in this momentous journey.”

More than two decades ago, one of the greatest visionaries of 20th-century India, Dr. Kalam, presented a solution to Bihar, and indeed, to all of India – To make our nation a developed country by 2020. He articulated this vision in his seminal book 'India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium' (1998). While India has made significant strides since then, achieving numerous milestones in GDP growth, enhancing its international standing, and making remarkable achievements in space exploration, Bihar, unfortunately, has fallen far short of realizing its potential. It has yet to take even the most basic steps towards the development envisioned by Dr. Kalam.

Lack of vision and political will among leaders
Mao Zedong famously stated, "The economy must be subordinated to the political line." While India's multi-party democracy differs significantly from China's one-party communist system, the underlying principle of political will driving economic and social progress remains universally relevant.

Throughout its history, India has repeatedly demonstrated the profound impact of strong political will. The current leadership under prime minister Narendra Modi serves as a contemporary example, achieving numerous milestones across various sectors, both domestically and internationally.

Bihar, too, has experienced the transformative power of political will throughout its millennia-long history. From the overthrow of the Nanda dynasty to the resistance against the Jungle Raj of Lalu Prasad Yadav, the state has witnessed the consequences of both, strong and weak leadership. The Champaran Satyagraha led by Gandhi, the peasant movement of Sahajanand Saraswati and Jayaprakash Narayan's Total Revolution stand as testaments to the people's ability to challenge and overcome the oppressive forces of “political ill will”. Bihar has not only demonstrated its own capacity for progress; but has also served as a beacon of hope for the nation, as exemplified by Dr. Kalam's optimistic vision for the state.

However, in recent decades, Bihar has been plagued by a lack of political will and shortsightedness among its leaders. The state, once a cradle of civilization renowned for its contributions to spirituality (Buddhism, Jainism), leadership (Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Rajendra Prasad, JP), philosophy (Chanakya, Aryabhatt), education (Nalanda, Vikramshila), and empire (Magadh, Gupta), has been grappling with the consequences of political instability and social division.

The Jungle Raj era under Lalu Prasad exemplifies the destructive potential of unchecked political power. His regime was marked by rampant corruption, lawlessness, and open threats against certain sections of society. The infamous statement, "Bhura baal saaf karo" (cleanse the Bhumihar, Rajput, Brahmin, and Kayastha communities), delivered from the chief minister's office, serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of such divisive rhetoric and its potential for real-world violence.

Vicious cycle of politicization along castes
When Rajni Kothari coined the term "Politicization of the caste" in his seminal work ‘Caste in Indian Politics’ (1970), it coincided with the rise of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as political actors. While the politicization of caste had its drawbacks, it undeniably empowered these marginalized groups, who were previously exploited as political pawns without agency or recognition.

However, this potent tool of empowerment was quickly exploited by opportunistic leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, who used it to consolidate power and perpetuate a climate of fear and violence. Bihar witnessed a disturbing rise in caste-based conflicts, organized crime, and the erosion of the rule of law during this period.

Undeniably, caste-based discrimination has historically marginalized a significant portion of Indian society, denying them basic human dignity and opportunities. Bihar has played a pivotal role in the struggle for caste equality, from the Janeyu Movement of the 1920s to the recent Caste Survey of 2022-23. B.P. Mandal, the architect of the Mandal Commission, himself hailed from Bihar. The political careers of Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar, two dominant figures of the past four decades, are inextricably linked to the social and political changes ushered in by the Mandal Commission.

However, the politicization of caste has inadvertently led to the “casteization” of politics, where caste identity has become the primary determinant of political allegiance and electoral outcomes. This narrow focus on caste-based mobilization has often overshadowed the broader goal of socio-economic upliftment for the marginalized communities, hindering their long-term progress.

Will Bihar stop voting their caste in favour of development?  
Renowned sociologist M.N. Srinivas once remarked, "Indians don't cast their vote; they vote their caste." While this observation remains relevant and evident in elections across India, the nation has come a long way since Srinivas made this statement in 1955. In recent years, India has witnessed a significant shift in electoral behaviour, particularly during the last three General Elections and numerous state and local body elections. Voters have increasingly taken responsibility for holding leaders and political parties accountable, signaling that their aspirations can no longer be ignored.  

Bihar, too, is not lagging behind in this transformation. The state has delivered a clear message to those who exploit caste-based politics to stay in power by dividing society along caste and class lines. Apart from the 2015 assembly elections, Bihar contributed significantly to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) by securing 31 seats in 2014, 39 seats in 2019, and 30 seats in 2024 during the Lok Sabha elections.

However, after losing its first resolution for transformative change, the question remains: Will Bihar align with India’s vision to become a developed nation by 2047? Will it strive for a "Developed Bihar" by complementing national initiatives like "Make in India" with its own "Make in Bihar," transitioning from a labour-supplying state to a hub of industrial and entrepreneurial activity? Can Bihar embrace the "Startup India" movement by fostering a wave of "Startup Bihar," transforming its youth into job creators instead of mere job seekers?  

As India marks 75 years of the Constitution, Bihar must reflect on its role in this journey. Will the state reclaim its historical glory and contribute to the nation's progress? These are the pressing questions that the people of Bihar must answer as the country embarks on its journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.

The author is a Fellow of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Mumbai.
This article was written before the presentation of the Union Budget that includes a slew of development initiatiaves for Bihar.