Dalit daughters of Bihar have created new history in politics. From the sweepers to the MLA from Bhagirathi Devi to the country’s first woman Lok Sabha Speaker Meera Kumar and the youngest MP Shambhavi Chaudhary. This journey is an inspirational story from Mati to Mahal.
A silent revolution is going on on the land of Bihar. The earth which was once known for casteism and social discrimination is writing a new story of Dalit women leadership today. This journey from Mati to the palace is not only a saga of personal achievements, but a source of inspiration for the entire society. From Bhagirathi Devi, from Bhagirathi Devi, from the country’s first woman Lok Sabha Speaker Meera Kumar, Bihar’s Dalit daughters have written a new chapter in politics.
Bhagirathi Devi: From a cleaning worker to five -time MLA
Born in a Mahadalit family in Narkatiaganj, West Champaran, the story of Bhagirathi Devi is no less than a film story. Bhagirathi Devi, who works as a cleaning worker on a monthly salary of only Rs 800 in the Block Development Office, is a five -time MLA today. In 2019, he was also awarded the Padma Shri, which is a proof that the person is identified by his work, not caste or social status. Bhagirathi Devi, who raised her issues in Bhojpuri, has become a strong voice of the poor-dalit class today.
The country’s first woman Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar
Born on 31 March 1945 in Sasaram, Meera Kumar achieved a new place for Dalit women of Bihar. Despite being the daughter of Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram, she made her own identity. First worked as an officer in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), then came into politics and became the first woman Lok Sabha Speaker of the country from 2009 to 2014. Meera Kumar’s political journey began in 1985 from Bijnor. After this, she never looked back and became an MP five times.
Eight Dalit women became MLAs in 2020
Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 took a historic turn for Dalit women leadership. Out of 40 reserved seats, eight Dalit women won, which is the highest record ever. These include prominent names…
- Bhagirathi Devi (Narkatiaganj)
- Veena Bharati (Triveniganj)
- Kavita Devi (Kondha)
- Pratima Kumari (Rajpakad)
- Dr. Nikki Heberram (Katoria)
- Rekha Devi (draft)
- Sangeeta Kumari (Mohania)
- Jyoti Devi (Barachatti)
- Deepa Manjhi (Imamganj, 2024 by -election)
Travel from 1957 to 2020
Only three Dalit women were elected in the Bihar assembly elections of 1957, Shyama Kumari from Scindia, Shailwala from Deoghar and Saraswati Chaudhary from Straw. This number shows how weak the beginning was. This number increased in the subsequent elections, but after this the participation of Dalit women decreased and the situation worsened in the 1972 and 1980s, when no Dalit woman MLA was elected. This was a period when social and political challenges were at its peak. However, the situation gradually improved and in 2020 a new chapter began with the victory of record eight Dalit women MLAs. Now what will happen in the 2025 assembly elections will tell the time to come.
New generation expectations Shambhavi Chaudhary
Shambhavi Chaudhary, who became the youngest MP from LJP (Ra) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, can become a new symbol of Dalit women leadership. Shambhavi has reached Lok Sabha after winning elections from Samastipur constituency. She is the daughter of Ashiq Chaudhary, a close minister of CM Nitish Kumar and the social worker and former IPS officer of the late Kishore Kunal. Their success shows that Dalit women of younger generation are more educated and politically aware.
Dalit women face double discrimination
Dalit women have to face double discrimination, that too on both caste and gender grounds. Efforts have been made to suppress their voice in the traditional social structure. But with education and awareness, she is crossing these obstacles. The irony is that till date in the political history of Bihar, no party has given its state president post to any woman. This shows that much more remains to be done.
Success is being achieved due to increasing impact of education and awareness
The education policies of the Bihar government, especially for girls, distribution and incentives have shown positive impact. Educated Dalit women are coming to the political stage with more confidence. The number and participation of Dalit women candidates is expected to increase further in the upcoming assembly elections. Dalit women of younger generation are more educated and politically aware.