The political landscape in Bihar is set to witness heightened activity as the three major Left parties in the state prepare to launch significant mass movements in the coming days. The twin focal points of these programs are the contentious issue of administrative bulldozing of houses belonging to the poor and weaker sections, and a concerted campaign to establish and promote harmony between Hindu and Muslim communities.
Protests Against Demolition Drive Gain Momentum
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has announced a major demonstration against the administration's actions. Ram Naresh Pandey, the party's state secretary, declared that the CPI's rank and file, along with members of its frontal organization, the Bihar Khet Majdoor Union (BMKU), will organize protest dharnas. These sit-ins are scheduled for January 5 and 6 and will take place at all 534 district and block headquarters across Bihar. The move is a direct response to what the party terms as the unjust demolition of houses and hutments of the underprivileged.
A Sisterhood Campaign for Communal Harmony
In a parallel development focusing on social cohesion, the CPI(ML) has unveiled a unique initiative. Kunal, the CPI(ML) state secretary, stated that the party's affiliate, the All India Progressive Women's Association (AIPWA), will run a week-long program from January 3 to 9. This campaign, named 'Bahanpa Abhiyan' (Sisterhood Campaign), aims to foster Hindu-Muslim amity by actively involving women from both communities.
The term 'bahanpa' in the local context signifies the establishment of a sisterly bond between women, transcending their community origins. To symbolize this unity, the campaign draws inspiration from the historic bond between Fatima Sheikh and Savitri Bai Phule, iconic 19th-century social reformers from Maharashtra. The initiative seeks to build similar bridges of understanding and solidarity in contemporary Bihar.
Escalating Political Heat in the State
These planned programs are not isolated events but part of a sustained wave of protests by the Left factions. In recent weeks, the CPI(ML), CPM, and CPI have jointly voiced their opposition on two critical fronts. The first is the ongoing demolition drives conducted by the administration in various districts. The second is the tragic incident of mob lynching that claimed the life of Athar Hussain in a village in Nawada district.
The upcoming mass actions signal a strategic escalation by the Left parties to bring these sensitive socio-political issues to the forefront of public discourse in Bihar. By combining grassroots protests against alleged state overreach with a positive, women-led campaign for communal unity, they aim to consolidate public opinion and increase political pressure on the state administration. The first week of January is poised to be a period of significant political mobilization and social messaging in the state.
