The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) or CPI(ML) organized a series of statewide protest demonstrations on Tuesday, voicing strong opposition against a recent mob lynching incident and a spate of demolitions targeting economically weaker sections across Bihar.
Statewide Protests Against Violence and Evictions
The party mobilized its members and affiliated organizations at district headquarters throughout the state. The protests were a direct response to two critical issues: the mob lynching of Mohammad Atahar Hussain in Bhatta Gaon, under the Roh police station of Nawada district, and a concerning rise in incidents where houses, shops, and huts are being demolished by authorities.
In Patna, a symbolic protest was staged near Buddha Smriti Park, close to the bustling Patna Junction. Party functionaries and members of associated groups like the Insaaf Manch participated, holding banners and placards to draw public attention. Similar demonstrations were successfully conducted in other districts including Nawada, Nalanda, Darbhanga, and Ara.
The Twin Issues: Lynching and Demolitions
The CPI(ML) highlighted the death of Mohammad Atahar Hussain as a grave concern. Hussain was attacked by a mob on December 5 and later succumbed to his injuries during treatment on December 12. The party labeled this as the first such incident of mob lynching in the state in recent memory, noting that his attackers had also filed a theft case against him.
Simultaneously, the party raised alarms over demolition drives being carried out by district and block administrations. While officials cite Patna High Court orders to clear encroachments, the CPI(ML) alleged that the actions disproportionately affect the poor and marginalized caste communities, rendering many homeless. The timing of these evictions at the peak of winter has intensified the distress, leading to incidents of resistance where women have confronted officials and tried to chase away magistrates, police, and bulldozer operators.
Allegations of a "UP Model" in Bihar
Connecting the two issues, CPI(ML) leaders expressed deep apprehension. They recalled that Bihar has historically stood against targeted mob violence, referencing how the lynching of Akhlaq Ahmad in Uttar Pradesh before the 2015 assembly elections became a national issue. The party now alleges that both mob lynching and the use of bulldozers are being projected as part of a "UP model of justice," with minorities and vulnerable groups being the primary targets.
The party described Hussain's lynching as the beginning of an attempt to communalize the state's social fabric, a move they vowed the people of Bihar would not tolerate. The statewide protests were organized to firmly oppose this perceived trend and to demand justice and protection for the affected families.
