How Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Learned Maithili and Once Spoke Fluently for Eight Minutes

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s deep emotional bond with Mithila and the Maithili language is neither recent nor political convenience. Though he hails from Nalanda in the Magadh region, his association with Mithila dates back to his student days—long before he entered active politics.

This lesser-known connection came into the spotlight in December 2017, when Nitish Kumar surprised a large gathering by delivering a fluent eight-minute speech in Maithili at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the All India Mithila Association held at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi. Of his nearly eleven-minute address, most was delivered seamlessly in Maithili, leaving the audience of Maithili speakers visibly delighted.

The moment went viral and sparked curiosity across Bihar: How did a leader from Magadh master Maithili so effortlessly?

A Friendship That Sparked a Linguistic Bond

Nitish Kumar himself later explained the story behind his command over the language. During his engineering days at the Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT Patna), one of his closest friends was Narendra Kumar, a native of Saharsa district in Mithila. Narendra had a unique habit—he spoke only in Maithili, even during academic discussions.

Initially, Nitish found this challenging. Over time, however, he grew fond of the sweetness and rhythm of the language. Continuous interaction led him to learn Maithili naturally, to the extent that the two friends eventually communicated exclusively in the language.

A Trusted Friend Beyond Language

Narendra Kumar’s influence on Nitish Kumar’s life went far beyond language. When Nitish’s marriage was being arranged and a dowry demand was raised by his family, he found himself unable to directly oppose his father despite being firmly against the practice. It was Narendra Kumar who spoke on his behalf, conveying Nitish’s wish for a simple, dowry-free marriage—a defining moment that reflected Nitish Kumar’s lifelong stand against social evils.

Why Nitish Avoided Speaking Maithili in Public

Despite his fluency, Nitish Kumar long hesitated to speak Maithili at public events. He often feared that any minor mistake might invite ridicule, given that he was not a native Mithila resident. This hesitation lasted for years—until the All India Mithila Association invited him in 2017, when he chose emotion over hesitation and addressed the gathering in Maithili.

Championing Mithila’s Development and Identity

Nitish Kumar’s connection with Mithila has also been reflected in his political actions. In 2003, while serving as Union Railway Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, he played a key role in securing approval for the Kosi river bridge at Nirmali—a long-standing demand of the region since the devastating 1934 floods had washed away the earlier rail bridge.

Remarkably, even the Congress—then his political opponent in Bihar—acknowledged his contribution. Congress spokesperson Kripanath Pathak publicly stated that the people of Mithila would remember Nitish Kumar as a leader who understood their aspirations.

Maithili’s Entry into the Eighth Schedule

Nitish Kumar also revealed that it was on his suggestion that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the inclusion of Maithili in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. During a journey to Nirmali for the bridge foundation ceremony, Nitish advised Vajpayee that such an announcement would deeply resonate with the people of Mithila. On June 6, 2003, the Prime Minister made the historic declaration, later formalised through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment.

More Than a Language

Nitish Kumar’s Maithili speech in 2017 was not merely a linguistic display—it was a reflection of a lifelong emotional, cultural and developmental association with Mithila. For many in the region, it reaffirmed the belief that his connection with Mithila is rooted not in politics, but in personal history, friendship and respect for its culture.