Bhojpuri Language and Bhikhari Thakur: Cultural Demands Shape Bihar's Political Landscape

Bhikhari Thakur was a renowned playwright, actor, folk singer, and social reformer from Bihar, often referred to as the 'Shakespeare of Bhojpuri'.

Patna:

The upcoming Bihar assembly elections have witnessed a cultural turn in the political discourse, with growing demands for official language status for Bhojpuri and posthumous Bharat Ratna for legendary folk artist Bhikhari Thakur becoming prominent issues in the Shahabad region of the state.

Bhojpuri, one of the most widely spoken dialects in Bihar, has deep cultural roots in districts including Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur, Buxar, Saran, East and West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, and Jehanabad. The Shahabad region specifically encompasses Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, and Kaimur districts.

"We have been consistently demanding that the Centre includes Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and awards Bharat Ratna to Bhikhari Thakur, widely acknowledged as the 'Shakespeare of Bhojpuri,'" stated Sudama Prasad, CPI(ML) Liberation's Lok Sabha MP from Arrah, in conversation with PTI.

"Despite raising these issues in Parliament repeatedly and writing letters to competent authorities, the NDA governments at both central and state levels have ignored our demands. The NDA leaders will face consequences for this negligence in the upcoming assembly elections," he added.

Thakur (1887-1971) emerged from humble beginnings in a barber family in Kutubpur village of Saran district to become one of the greatest Bhojpuri writers and most celebrated folk artists of Bihar. His legacy encompasses influential plays that addressed social problems through accessible language and cultural expressions.

"Thakur lived as a crusader against archaic social orders, utilizing folk art to address societal issues in the language and idiom that resonated with the masses," Prasad explained.

His plays including Ganga-Snan, Bidesiya, Gabarghichor, Beti-Bechwa, Bhai-Virodh, Piya Nisail, and Nai-Bahar continue to maintain their relevance today, each conveying important social messages.

CPI(ML) Liberation MLA from Dumraon assembly seat in Buxar district, Ajeet Kumar Singh, expressed similar sentiments to PTI: "Why is the BJP-led central government silent on including Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule? And why not bestow Bharat Ratna posthumously upon Bhikhari Thakur, who clearly deserves this honor?"

"These two demands will remain equally significant alongside other important issues in the upcoming assembly elections throughout the Shahabad region," he emphasized.

Singh further accused both Bihar and central NDA governments of displaying discriminatory treatment toward Bhojpuri-speaking citizens.

"Neither BJP leaders nor JD(U) representatives, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, have addressed the demands for official language status for Bhojpuri or Bharat Ratna for Thakur. This represents clear injustice to Bhojpuri-speaking voters," claimed the Dumraon MLA.

Highlighting Thakur's international influence, Jainendra Dost, director of 'Naach Bhikari Naach,' a film based on Thakur's works, told PTI, "Bhikari Thakur was an exceptional folk artist who presented his works in Bhojpuri dialect with extraordinary mass appeal."

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, a prominent Bhojpuri actor and singer from Atarwalia village in Kaimur district, had previously written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in July requesting Bharat Ratna for Thakur. Tiwari, who represents North East Delhi in Lok Sabha and is a leading figure in the Bhojpuri film industry, was unavailable for comment on the issue.