Anti-Bihari sentiment
Anti-Bihari sentiment refers to widespread discrimination and prejudice faced by Bihari people in various parts of India. Bihar has historically witnessed slower economic growth compared to the national average, leading to large-scale migration of Biharis to other regions in search of better livelihood opportunities.
Migrant workers from Bihar have often encountered hostility and stereotyping in their host states. Negative portrayals have included associations with criminality, sexual violence, and disloyalty, contributing to social stigma and exclusion. Furthermore, Biharis have also been impacted by anti-Hindi sentiment in non-Hindi-speaking states, stemming from a perception that central government institutions give preferential treatment to Hindi over regional languages in national-level examinations and public services.
Causes
Between the late 1980s and 2005, Bihar faced significant economic challenges due to a combination of poor governance and recurrent flooding caused by the Kosi River, often referred to as the "Sorrow of Bihar". Widespread corruption in regional politics, along with incidents of kidnappings targeting professionals who spoke out against such corruption, contributed to an economic decline. This environment led to the emigration of capital, middle-class professionals, and business leaders to other parts of India.The resulting flight of investment and talent exacerbated unemployment in the state, prompting large-scale migration of Bihari farmers and unemployed youth to more economically developed states. Bihar has a per capita income of approximately US$536 per annum, compared to the national average of US$1,470. About 30.6% of Bihar's population lives below the poverty line, higher than the national average of 22.15%. The level of urbanisation in the state is 10.5%, significantly below the national average of 27.78%, while urban poverty stands at 32.91%, compared to the national average of 23.62%. Bihar also has the highest population density and the lowest GDP per capita among all Indian states.
Impact
Economic
Bihar has a per capita income of approximately US$936 per annum, significantly lower than the national average of US$2,624. Due to this income disparity, many workers from Bihar emigrate to other states in search of better-paying jobs, often agreeing to work for lower wages. For instance, in Tamil Nadu, inter-state migrant construction workers have been reported to earn between ₹300 and ₹400 per day, in contrast to the prescribed minimum wage of ₹750 per day.The outflux of workers has had notable economic effects. After the departure of thousands of migrant labourers from Nashik, local industries expressed concern about increased operational costs, brought on by the need to hire more expensive local workers.
In an interview with The Times of India, Raj Thackeray, leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, remarked: "The city cannot take the burden anymore. Look at our roads, our trains and parks. On the pipes that bring water to Mumbai are 40,000 huts. It is a security hazard. The footpaths too have been taken over by migrants. The message has to go to Bihar that there is no space left in Mumbai for you. After destroying the city, the migrants will go back to their villages. But where will we go then?"
Concerns regarding the strain on urban infrastructure due to migration have also been raised by mainstream political leaders. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh acknowledged that unchecked migration had put pressure on the state's basic infrastructure. Nevertheless, he appealed to migrant workers from Bihar to remain in Maharashtra, even during periods of intense anti-North Indian agitation.
Similarly, Sheila Dikshit, the then Chief Minister of Delhi, commented that migration from Bihar was placing an increasing burden on the capital's infrastructure. She stated, "These people come to Delhi from Bihar but don't ever go back, causing a burden on Delhi's infrastructure."
Violence
Bangladesh
Many Biharis in Bangladesh were Urdu-speaking and supported the Pakistan Armed Forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Their opposition to the Bengali language movement and the independence of Bangladesh led to significant reprisals by the Mukti Bahini and other militias. Various reports estimate that up to 150,000 Biharis may have been killed during this period.Nepal
Biharis in Nepal have reportedly faced social discrimination and been subjected to derogatory terms such as raddi kaghaz, khaali botal, and Bihari bhaiya. In one incident, a Bihari national was killed and two others were injured after Nepalese armed police opened fire near the Lalbandi border outpost.India
Attacks on Sikhs
Following the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, a significant number of Sikhs residing in areas such as Patna City, Lalji Tola, and Exhibition Road began relocating from Bihar. The trend continued into the 1990s due to deteriorating law and order and rising extortion.In 2022, a group of Sikh pilgrims from Punjab were attacked in Bhojpur district when their vehicle was stopped, and the driver was assaulted during a dispute over a religious donation. At least seven sustained injuries.
Attacks on Bengalis
During the period often referred to as "Jungle Raj" under Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, several Bengali families reportedly faced violence and displacement. Many were forced to resettle in neighbouring states like Jharkhand and West Bengal. Reports suggest incidents of violence, kidnapping, and property seizure, although detailed citations are needed for verification.Attacks on journalists
Bihar has witnessed multiple incidents of attacks on journalists, ranking among the highest in India. These have involved political groups, local mafias, and others. Media watchdogs have raised concerns over freedom of expression in the state.Economic stigma and employment
Bihari migrant workers have often been employed in low-wage and low-skilled jobs across India, such as rickshaw pulling, sanitation work, and daily wage labour. Some critics argue that this influx lowers regional income averages. Bihar's GDP per capita remains among the lowest in the country. However, such assertions require cautious interpretation and context.Protests and demonstrations
In October 2008, student protests erupted in Bihar following attacks on North Indian candidates during a Railway Recruitment Board examination in Maharashtra, allegedly carried out by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists. Protests included rail blockades and hunger strikes. Several FIRs were filed against MNS leader Raj Thackeray in Bihar and Jharkhand.Rahul Raj
Rahul Raj, a 23-year-old from Patna, was shot dead by Mumbai police aboard a public bus on 27 October 2008. Police alleged that he intended to assassinate MNS leader Raj Thackeray. His death sparked protests in Bihar and accusations of police excess.Attacks against Bihari people
KOLHAPUR: A group of 15 to 20 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena members on motorcycles went berserk on Tuesday attacking migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh andFebruary 3, 2008 - The tirade against North Indians started with clashes between MNS and SP workers at Dadar in Mumbai. MNS chief Raj Thackeray explained that the attack was a reaction to the uncontrolled dadagiri of migrants and leaders from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
February 5, 2008 - MNS workers also pelted stones at the offices of Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari and North Indian Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam.
February 8, 2008 - MNS chief Raj Thackeray revoked the issue of Marathi pride this time lashing out at the North Indians in an article titled "Majhi bhumika, majha ladha" written by him in the Marathi daily Maharashtra Times.
February 12, 2008 - MNS workers destroyed government property to vent their anger against the reported move to arrest Raj.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh admitted that his government was responsible for failure in preventing the attacks by MNS on north Indian candidates at Railways examination centres and ordered a probe into the incident.
October 20, 2008 - Thackeray was arrested in Ratnagiri after Mumbai police had received a non-bailable warrant issued by a Jamshedpur court against the MNS chief. The arrested again ignited violence by his supporters in large parts of the city forcing it to shut down.
2008 attacks on Uttar Pradeshi and Bihari migrants in Maharashtra