How ‘Jungle Raj’ in Bihar Paved the Way for Nitish Kumar’s Rise to Power

Patna:
The term ‘Jungle Raj’, which later became the cornerstone of Nitish Kumar’s political ascent, did not originate from political rhetoric or election speeches. Interestingly, the phrase was first used by a Patna High Court judge while commenting on the utter administrative collapse in the state. The remark was made not during the hearing of a murder or kidnapping case, but while reviewing the capital’s monsoon mismanagement, where rainwater flooded residential colonies and roads turned into muddy swamps.

Over time, the phrase ‘Jungle Raj’ became synonymous with the 15-year rule of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a period marked by unchecked crime, caste-based violence, kidnappings, and large-scale corruption. These developments eventually eroded public confidence in the RJD government and opened the political path for Nitish Kumar.

Crime at Its Peak Under Lalu Prasad Yadav

During Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Chief Minister, Bihar witnessed an unprecedented surge in criminal activities. Murders, massacres, abductions, and the rise of organized crime became routine. The breakdown of law and order turned Bihar into a national symbol of administrative failure.

The Jehanabad Jailbreak: A Stark Example of Administrative Collapse

On the evening of November 13, 2005, Bihar witnessed what is considered the largest jailbreak in Indian history. Armed Naxalites stormed the Jehanabad jail with meticulous planning, coinciding deliberately with the anniversary of the Russian Revolution. Exploiting weak security arrangements, they overpowered jail personnel, freed hundreds of inmates, and selectively released over 300 Naxalite cadres.

During the attack, two prominent Ranvir Sena leaders—Bade Sharma and Visheshwar Rai—were brutally killed inside the prison. Sixteen rifles were looted, and twelve people lost their lives. At the time, Bihar was under President’s Rule with Buta Singh as Governor. The incident exposed the fragile state machinery and was widely cited as the epitome of ‘Jungle Raj’.

Era of Massacres and Caste Violence

The RJD regime was also marred by some of the most horrific caste-based massacres in independent India, severely damaging Bihar’s image globally.

• Bara Massacre (1992): Maoists slit the throats of 35 upper-caste villagers in Gaya district.
• Bathani Tola Massacre (1996): 22 Dalits, Muslims, and backward-caste villagers were killed in Bhojpur district.
• Laxmanpur Bathe Massacre (1997): 58 Dalits were massacred in Jehanabad district.
• Shankar Bigha Massacre (1999): 22 Dalits were killed in Jehanabad district.
• Miyanpur Massacre (2000): 35 Dalits were murdered in Aurangabad district.

These repeated episodes of violence entrenched fear and deepened social fractures across the state.

Kidnapping Becomes an Industry

Kidnapping for ransom flourished during this period, becoming almost an “industry.” The abduction of schoolchildren Golu and Kishlay shook Bihar to its core. Even years later, these incidents remained etched in public memory. In 2005, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee emotionally appealed during a rally, asking, “Where is my Kishlay? Bring him back to me,” a moment that symbolized public anguish and outrage.

Criminal Nexus and Political Patronage

Bihar became a safe haven for notorious criminals. Figures such as Mohammad Shahabuddin, Pappu Yadav, Anand Mohan, Suraj Bhan Singh, and Munna Shukla operated with near impunity. The brazen murder of Minister Brij Bihari Prasad inside Patna’s prestigious IGIMS hospital stunned the nation and underlined the deep criminal-politician nexus.

The Fodder Scam and the Fall of RJD

The final blow to the RJD came with the infamous Fodder Scam, involving embezzlement of nearly ₹950 crore from the Animal Husbandry Department. Fake bills were generated for fodder, medicines, and equipment that were never supplied. The scale of corruption was so massive that case records were transported to court in 20 truckloads.

In March 1996, the Patna High Court handed the investigation to the CBI. Several senior leaders, IAS officers, and politicians were implicated. Lalu Prasad Yadav himself was convicted and jailed, marking a historic downfall.

The fodder scam proved to be the final nail in RJD’s coffin. In February 2005, the NDA formed the government in Bihar, and Nitish Kumar ushered in what was projected as an era of ‘Sushasan’ (good governance), decisively ending the prolonged phase of ‘Jungle Raj’.