The Bhumihar Factor: How a 3% Community Became the Decisive Force in Bihar's 2025 Elections

It has been nearly two decades since Anant Singh and Suraj Bhan Singh directly confronted each other in political rivalry.

New Delhi:

Along the banks of the Ganga River in Bihar lies Mokama, a historically significant town in Patna district once known for its industrial prominence and lentil production. Today, Mokama represents a stark paradox, illustrating the complex intersection of criminality and political power. This locale embodies a vivid collision of historical and contemporary forces, weaving together violence, authority, and electoral aspirations. As Bihar approaches its 2025 assembly elections, tensions escalate with old rivalries resurfacing amid fresh controversies. The recent apprehension of 64-year-old Anant Singh, a Bhumihar candidate representing JD(U), on allegations connected to the murder of 75-year-old former gangster-turned-politician Dular Chand Yadav, highlights the continued influence of strongmen in this volatile region, rekindling an intense competition with his longstanding enemy, Suraj Bhan Singh, another notorious Bhumihar powerbroker.

A Heritage of Bloodshed

Located merely 70 kilometers from Patna, Mokama carries a violent legacy intertwined with the lives of its political elites. Anant Singh and Suraj Bhan Singh, both infamous figures from the Bhumihar caste, have been entangled in cycles of violence since the 1980s. Their history is marked by gunfire and bloodshed, as they ascended to power through intimidation and force, operating in a political environment where brute strength often superseded strategy.

The recent killing of Jan Suraaj supporter Yadav (formerly a Lalu Prasad loyalist) during confrontations between political factions adds another somber episode to Mokama's ongoing narrative. This incident, involving Anant Singh's supporters, not only underscores the precarious nature of political engagement in the region but also serves as a chilling reminder of the ruthless tactics defining this arena. As authorities investigate Yadav's death, the town remains suspended between its violent history and the uncertain prospects of electoral transformation.

The Electoral Confrontation

The present political landscape reflects a curious evolution where former enemies must navigate complex electoral alliances and rivalries. Though nearly two decades have passed since Anant Singh and Suraj Bhan Singh last directly opposed each other, the political climate has not diminished their mutual hostility. This election signifies a return to ballot-based competition, transitioning from their earlier confrontations that were often resolved through violence.

Suraj Bhan Singh, whose political ambitions now rest with his wife, Veena Devi, exemplifies the intricate power dynamics in Mokama. Following his life sentence for a 1992 murder, he has turned to his spouse to reclaim electoral influence. Her candidacy represents not merely a continuation of his legacy but a strategic maneuver to leverage their shared history and constituent loyalty. Her campaign against Anant Singh carries stakes that are simultaneously personal and political.

The Bhumihar Paradox: Politics in a Fragmented Landscape

In Bihar's kaleidoscopic political arena, where caste and community often determine allegiance more than ideology, the Bhumihar community presents a fascinating contradiction. Despite comprising only 2.9 percent of the electorate, Bhumihars have become central to intense political strategies as the 2025 assembly elections approach. This contest transcends mere numbers; it concerns influence, heritage, and political survival.

The Appeal of a Numerically Small but Influential Community

Why would major political coalitions like the NDA and Mahagathbandhan invest significant resources courting a community representing less than three percent of voters? The answer lies in the Bhumihars' historical and cultural significance. Traditionally regarded as an upper caste (nearly equivalent to Brahmins), they have exercised considerable influence in Bihar's political landscape. One theory suggests Bhumihars originated as Brahmins who received land grants from Emperor Ashoka, later returning to Hinduism with status just below ritual Brahmins. Some consider them a Brahmin-Rajput hybrid. Historically landowners, Bhumihars controlled numerous princely states and zamindaris including Bettiah, Tekari, Hathwa, and others. During British colonization, many Bhumihars joined the military, developing a militant reputation.

From Literary Giants to Political Leaders

The Bhumihar community produced numerous intellectual luminaries, including national poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, celebrated for the Veer Ras tradition, and writers like Rahul Sankrityayan and Rambriksh Benipuri. Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his November 2 roadshow from Dinkar Chauraha in Patna, honoring the poet laureate.

The legacy of Shri Krishna Sinha, prominent Constituent Assembly member and Bihar's first Chief Minister (1946-1961) and a Bhumihar leader, remains influential, reminding stakeholders of the community's electoral impact. Sinha's tenure witnessed the emergence of numerous influential Bhumihar leaders, including Mahesh Prasad Sinha, Krishnakant Singh, LP Shahi, Basawan Sinha, and Kailashpati Mishra. Kailashpati Mishra, former Gujarat Governor, was a significant BJP leader from Bihar, as was former Union Health Minister Dr. CP Thakur, a Kala Azar specialist. Current prominent BJP Bhumihar leaders include Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha.

"Taj Nitish Ko, Raj Bhumihar Ko"

Even after OBC leaders like Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar began dominating Bihar politics (1990-2025), Bhumihars maintained control over bureaucracy, academia, media, and professions like law and medicine. Bihar's top contractors are predominantly Bhumihars. In education, Bhumihars compete with Kayasthas and Brahmins; in aggression, with Rajputs and Yadavs; in enterprise, with Banias. They remain politically influential: Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh, prominent JD(U) leader and Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying), who accompanied PM Modi during his roadshow, is a leading Bhumihar figure, as is former Congress President Akhilesh Prasad Singh. Lalan Singh has maintained decades-long friendship with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. When Kumar became Bihar's Chief Minister in 2005, Patna's popular saying was "Taj Nitish ko, raj Bhumihar ko" (Crown for Nitish, rule for Bhumihars).

Bhumihars are distributed throughout Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh but dominate three central Bihar regions: Arwal, Jehanabad (former Gaya and Shahabad region), Mokama and Munger region, and Begusarai, Lakhisarai, and Baraiya region. In Samastipur's Mithilanchal districts, Bhumihars intermarry with Brahmins, forming the "Do-Gamiya" community.

Mokama powerfully echoes the Ranvir Sena era's "Jungle Raj."

As their electoral influence declined after the 1990s, many Bhumihars joined the Ranvir Sena, a private militia established in 1994. Named after Ranvir Chaudhary, a powerful 19th-century Bhumihar chieftain, the Ranvir Sena conducted armed attacks against the Lal Sena (Maoist outfit) in Jehanabad, Maqdoompur, and Aurangabad regions during the late 1990s. The Ranvir Sena perpetrated numerous massacres, including Laxmanpur Bathe. Later, in Senari, the Lal Sena killed dozens of Bhumihars. Today's violence in Mokama strongly evokes memories of the Ranvir Sena era's "Jungle Raj."

Caste-Based Politics

Caste politics has consistently underpinned electoral strategies in Bihar. In this context, the Bhumihar community serves as a touchstone for broader electoral alliances. The NDA has fielded 32 Bhumihar candidates, relying on their traditional loyalty. Simultaneously, the Mahagathbandhan has nominated 15 Bhumihar candidates (including six from the RJD, traditionally an OBC party), indicating a strategic effort to penetrate the upper caste vote bank that has historically eluded them.

Bhumihar versus Bhumihar

These dynamics grow more complex through intra-community rivalries, creating the "Bhumihar versus Bhumihar" phenomenon. In constituencies like Bikram and Mokama, candidates from the same community compete, creating a microcosm of the broader electoral battle. This internal competition not only raises stakes but also prompts reevaluation of loyalties.

Beyond Mokama and Bikram, several constituencies in 2025 will feature Bhumihar versus Bhumihar contests, including Kesua, Barbigha, Begusarai, Matihani, and Lakhisarai.

The Congress has nominated Bhumihar candidate Amresh Anish against Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha. Consequently, constituencies with dual Bhumihar candidates have become election focal points. A similar contest unfolds in Patna's Bikram Assembly constituency, where BJP incumbent Siddharth Saurabh faces Congress's Anil Kumar, both Bhumihars.

Will historical BJP allegiance persist, or will changing socio-economic conditions favor the Mahagathbandhan?

The Future of Bhumihar Influence

As elections approach, the Bhumihar community stands at a crossroads. The BJP's established relationship with the community offers security, while the Mahagathbandhan's aggressive outreach suggests impending change. Candidates like Anil Kumar and Siddharth Saurabh, who have switched allegiances, embody the fluidity of political identities in this landscape.

The upcoming elections will test not just loyalty but serve as an indicator of shifting caste politics in Bihar. With Bhumihars competing against one another, voters will likely consider their aspirations, grievances, and the broader implications of their choices.

Ultimately, the Bhumihar question encapsulates Bihar's essence – a region rich in history, a tapestry of diverse identities, and a political arena where every vote matters regardless of numerical strength. As Bihar prepares for elections, attention focuses on this seemingly small yet influential Bhumihar community, the pivot of 2025 Bihar, whose decisions may resonate far beyond their proportional representation.