Broken Promises: Caste, Crime and Politics in Bihar

by Mrityunjay Sharma

Broken Promises tells the story of Bihar's plunge into an abyss of crime, corruption and economic ruin during the tumultuous decade of the 1990s, often referred to as the ‘Jungle Raj’ years. How did a land, once the cradle of civilisation, devolve into a byword for the worst of India as described by The Economist in 2004?
Mrityunjay Sharma traces the post-Independence socio-politics of Bihar and the momentous events leading up to the ’90s: the unravelling of long-standing Congress governments, the rise of OBC assertion with Lohiaite politics, the JP movement that put the spotlight on young leaders like Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar, Karpoori Thakur's reservation formula, the rise of Naxal movements and the entry of socialist governments. 10 March 1990, the day Lalu took oath, was one of hope for millions in the state battered by poverty, caste atrocities and inequality. The political triumph of Lalu, a vociferous champion of the marginalised, as a reaction to centuries of oppression and the promise of upliftment and inclusion, ironically, worsened the socio-economic disparities in the state, accompanied by grave misgovernance, flourishing crime syndicates and caste armies, and the centre-staging of formidable bahubalis in politics.
Deeply engaging and richly insightful, Mrityunjay Sharma’s Broken Promises is not just a book about Bihar for Biharis. It is an eye-opening account of a large and socially complex participant in India's democracy, any shift within which sends ripples across national politics.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, India, History, Indian Literature

348 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2024

About the author

Mrityunjay Sharma is a first-generation politician and entrepreneur. An engineering graduate from BIT Mesra, Ranchi and an MBA from XLRI Jamshedpur, Mrityunjay worked in various senior HR roles at Asian Paints before moving to the hinterlands of Chhattisgarh, where he worked with the then-chief minister Dr Raman Singh on developmental issues. He subsequently moved to his home state of Jharkhand to join politics and work at the grassroots. He is currently the Convener - Election Management for BJP Jharkhand. Sharma is the co-founder of Ranchi-based start-up biofie.com. He also runs a social initiative called Kartavyapath to teach mathematics to underprivileged children and is a visiting faculty at several institutes, including the IIMs.

Reviews

[Akanksha Singh Raghuvanshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Promises: Caste, Crime and Politics in Bihar" by Mrityunjay Sharma

"One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors."

Bihar is an underdeveloped and underprivileged state of the nation. Once it was a realm of gods, kings, rebels, and learning; now it is plagued by poverty, caste-based politics, and unemployment. Over the past century, Bihar has been the scene of massive movements, violent mobilizations, suppression of popular solidarities, and continuous unrest in society. Caste-based politics perverts the modernization and democratization of politics.

Bihar has faced various massacres, crimes, caste politics, Naxalite movements, and much more. As the title suggests, this book demonstrates how, against the background of changing contours in caste in Bihar, the tactful management and administration of caste-based politics in Bihar has led to various movements, crimes, scams, and massacres. It examines what exactly Bihar has lost and what Bihar needs to move forward.

Distributed in seven titles, fifteen chapters, and 331 pages, this book covers the whole socio-political scenario of Bihar. Bihar's politics and land were dominated by four upper castes until the 1980s. Then came the rise of backward classes in politics, and Bihar faced several movements, the rise and decline of leaders and parties, the end of Congress, the decline of upper caste rule in politics, and the lands they lost in movements. The book discusses the regime of Lalu Yadav, detailing how only one backward caste took privileges under his rule, the scams and corruption during his time, and how caste politics led to massacres in Bihar.
The book explores what Bihar has lost in their regimes and how conflicts have plagued Bihar not so much from economic deprivation but from a deep sense of exclusion and marginality along caste lines.

It also covers the Naxalite movements in Bihar, the emergence of bahubali leaders, the position of the BJP in Bihar, and Bihar under Nitish Kumar.

This is a must-read book. I personally recommend everyone to read it, whether you are from Bihar or not, whatever state you belong to, and whatever your preferred genre is. Just give it a read.

[Himanshu Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book during my hospital stay, while undergoing a minor surgery. And if I finished this amidst IVs, antibiotics and painkillers in a day, I don't have to say that it was very captivating and a smooth read.

Mrityunjay has done an amazing job in simplifying the contemporary political dynamics of Bihar with enviable simplicity. If you were born in 80s or before, you would find so many events mentioned in this book, that you would remember from your memories- Mrityunjay tied them all well to make sense on why those happened and who/what was behind. Considering the changing political ecosystem of Bihar, along with knowledge it requires courage and strength to put this piece together.

Congratulations Mrityunjay on this amazing book. Wish you all the success and I'm looking forward to reading more of your works ahead.

[Manish Chandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who grew-up in Bihar during 90s and early 00's can vouch for all the things in the book. Lalu's "Jungle Raaj" for 15 years was one of the worst things to happen to this state! It's easy to make fun of Biharis in typical bollywood tone but little does anyone know the reason behind the plight of the people. The least they deserve is sympathy, let alone the respect!!

If you like to dig behind political reasons for Bihar's apathy, this is an excellent pick.

[Amartya Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's midnight when I am sitting and trying to pen my thoughts on the book, and I don't know where to begin. The thought breaking this dramatic daze, is that this is one of the most educational and revealing books on Bihar and its challenges. Anybody who wants to know about Bihar has to read this book. And this is not just my recommendation who is a lowly migrant Bihari but also from my father who is the more proud resident Bihari.

The author Mrityunjay Sharma has recounted the modern history of Bihar in the most riveting fashion. The author makes the period of 1990-2005, also known as the Jungle Raj as the primary scope of the book. But he has gone further to connect the storyline until the 2024 Parliament and 2025 Bihar elections, essentially covering the Nitish Kumar phase in brief as well.

The book begins with the ascension of Lalu Yadav as chief minister of Bihar for the first time in 1990. With this clever bait where the author recounts the humorous side of Lalu Yadav, he delves into the run up to the Jungle Raj phase. He talks about the Emergency & the JP movement, the Mandal-Kamandal politics and the decline of Congress stronghold in Bihar - all of which are important determinants to Lalu Yadav's rise.

The author then takes one across the caste myriad of Bihar politics and the upheaval caused by the victory of Lalu Yadav, an upper OBC caste Yadav. He talks about why caste politics and vote bank politics is near inseparable from the identity of Bihar. He goes on to describe the rise and fall of Lalu Yadav, who was hailed as the messiah of the marginalized groups in Bihar.

The author also focuses on the caste wars and the brutal stomach-churning reality of caste massacares and lawlessness during the Jungle Raj. I am not doing justice when I say that these chapters weighed heavily on my conscience, when the savagery of caste politics is revealed in the book.
Despite some scholars having praised the intensification of democracy in the rise of marginalised groups in this phase, the dark side of this rise is best described in these chapters.

The author also then highlights the loss of socio-economic development, governance absenteeism and law & order breakdown in Bihar due to the Jungle Raj. This paints a vivid picture of what the people of Bihar have collectively lost due to this era.

The author finally ends the roller coaster ride that is Bihar, with the final chapters on Nitish Kumar and his governance. The author speaks highly of him, but also does not hold back his punches when talking about his desire for political survivability.

The book is really well written, with an easy going flow. It handles both the humorous and dark side of Bihar's history. Highly recommended for reading.

Though with such books is always important to read multiple perspectives before forming an opinion. I have discovered books like The Republic of Bihar by Arvind Narayan Das and Ruled & Misruled: Story and destiny of Bihar by Santosh Singh as possible next books to read to get new perspectives.

[Shreya Prakash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is close to my heart.
With language, culture, mannerisms that are unique and an ancient history that still shines, albeit dully, through the grime of the recent past, Bihar today is a mixed bag. No longer in the clutches of the jungle raj under lalu, and with all growth indicators having improved, it still has a long way to go.

This book is about the recent history of the state, starting from the socialistic movements of the 70s which ushered in seeming reformists like Lalu, to quickly devolve and implode under his model of corrupt caste-driven non-governance to become a state ailing on economy, law & order and human development.
It is the story of what happened in those 15 years, going into the whys as well as the whats.

It ends with Nitish Kumar's 2005 win, and goes on to describe his first term when he turned around many of the state's indices through people, policies and innovative schemes, for it to become the second fastest growing state in India during that time. However the terms thereafter have been mired in controversy.

The people of Bihar are, by choice and not, spread out across the country, helping build the nation through their labor and intelligence. Many of us are migrants, most still with families and links back home and a few like me, with the privilege to more easily disassociate.

Growing up, especially in the 90s, I have felt reluctant at times revealing where I am from, as is fairly common behavior among the Bihari diaspora. But over the last decade, as the hair greys, roots beckon, and today I embrace it. For better or for worse.

I don't want to resort to the typical face-savers of past glory, the resilience of its people etc, but I do want to end with hope. Today's Bihar is better than what it was just 20 years ago, and as India progresses, my hope for Bihar is to find its own place in our rich, varied, amazing country. I wonder what I can do to contribute, and while not much directly, I am a daughter of Bihar as much as a citizen of this country, and merely acknowledging that feels good.

[Nihar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bihar, once the land of Buddhism, great empires, and the heart of Indian civilization, is now often seen as one of the most backward and caste divided states in India. I’m not from Bihar, but I feel a personal connection to it for two reasons: I’ve had wonderful Bihari friends, and my home state, Odisha, is often placed in the same category when it comes to development.

As someone who takes pride in his heritage, it always hurts to see Odisha being mocked for its poverty and underdevelopment.(Though it has reduced substantially due to some recent limited economic success)That’s why I understand how many Biharis must be feeling, and I’ve always wished for Bihar’s progress too.

I didn’t know much about Bihar before reading this book, but I never believed that a land so central to India’s civilization could be “inherently” backward. I wanted to understand what truly went wrong and this book explains that beautifully. It covers both the colonial history and, more importantly, the dark years between 1990 and 2005, when Bihar suffered terribly. The descriptions of rampant corruption, caste violence, gang wars, and kidnappings were both shocking and heartbreaking.

Thankfully, the political change in 2005 when Nitish Kumar replaced Lalu Yadav brought a ray of hope. It showed that while one leader can damage a state, another can rebuild it, though valuable years were lost.

I sincerely hope Bihar continues to grow, because when Bihar develops, India develops.

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand what went wrong in Bihar and how it’s making a comeback. Highly recommended.

[Aditya Saraff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrityunjay's book is a collection of facts that are popular in Bihar but rarely get discussed outside the state despite the national significance they bear at times. Through this book, not only does Mrityunjay completely lay the politics of Lalu's Regime bare, but also not only give a blinkered view as he includes the affairs of the nation at large, national figures and ambitions that had a bearing on state politics as well. Despite my many disagreements with the book (such as the synonymous use of varna and caste), if a book can come the closest to describing the politics of Bihar, Lalu's 'jungle-raj' regime, and the plight of the residents of Bihar, many of them from the EBC background, it is this! A definite must read :)

[Uzair Qadri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true opus on the basic working DNA of Bihar of the last 30 years. The basic enigma for me, as a reader, is how can it be that a state of around 12 crore people be led astray by just one individual, Lalu Prasad Yadav.

[Amrit Datta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most wonderfully engrossing and engaging page turner written in a tightly knit no holds barred narrative style chronicling the unbelieving happenings from the lost decades in the life and times of the state of Bihar. The book also delves into implications of the major policy and political decisions which lead the state to its present situation and also introduces or should I say reintroduces its readers to all the major characters involved.
Found this to be very informative and well edited compact sociopolitical history of a very tumultuous period in the history of state. Definitely serves as a good introduction to anyone looking to study the sociopolitical environment of the state.

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before the 1990s, Bihar was known for its cultural heritage and agricultural prowess. However, it faced social and economic challenges like poverty and caste discrimination. The "Jungle Raj" era, marked by lawlessness, crime, and political instability, impacted Bihar's economy and reputation. Current efforts focus on restoring law, promoting economic growth, and improving governance.

Mrityunjay Sharma's book "Broken Promises: Caste, Crime, and Politics in Bihar" is a captivating and incisive look at Bihar's complex political environment during the turbulent Jungle Raj era. Sharma's rigorous research and heartfelt writing reveal the intricacies of a time marked by anarchy, corruption, and broken dreams. The book dives deeply into Bihar's history, laying the groundwork for a detailed knowledge of the sociopolitical processes that contributed to the catastrophe depicted in the novel.

A substantial chunk of the book is devoted to the Lalu Yadav era (1990-2005), during which Sharma presents a comprehensive analysis of Lalu's ascent to power and subsequent demise. Rather of casting Lalu as a caricature, Sharma depicts him as a product of his period, delving into his political brilliance, ability to polarize interest groups, and institutional flaws that contributed to the deterioration of government. Through vivid storytelling and fascinating character depictions, Sharma captures the core of Bihar's decline into disorder, offering a striking image of a society on the verge of anarchy.

What distinguishes "Broken Promises" is its investigation of the human cost of Jungle Raj. The book presents readers with devastating tales and personal testimonies of regular folks caught in the crossfire of political maneuvering and criminal activity. Sharma's humanity and compassion show through, making these stories emotional and captivating while emphasizing the catastrophic consequences of unbridled power on individuals and communities.

Furthermore, the book critically investigates the structural flaws that enabled the Jungle Raj to exist, examining the relationship between politicians, bureaucrats, and criminals. By providing vital insights into the structural challenges that continue to plague Bihar's government, "Broken Promises" is a compelling reminder of the dangers of unfettered authority and the significance of accountability in a democratic society. It forces readers to confront hard facts about power, justice, and the search of a better society, making it a must-read for everyone interested in Bihar's grim history and the long-lasting impact of Jungle Rule.

[Rohit Tandekar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book on Bihar that I picked up while I was in Kerala - the irony can't get any more stronger than that. I'm glad this book was written, packaged in eye-catching details and I picked it up. It rests deservingly on my bookshelf.

Broken Promises is essentially about the period Bihar was under Lalu's chief ministership - from 1990 to 2005. It highlights how Lalu used his OBC status to play vote bank politics, where Yadav was the new Brahmin. The focus on caste meant that focus on development was neglected - to the point where key positions of power in the ministry, administration etc. were kept vacant because suitable Yadav candidates weren't available. Mr. Sharma also deepdives in length about corruption, policies, crime, failures in health and education and dirty politics in Bihar. It has several names and interesting anecdotes that stay with you - like how Lalu arrested Advani, mocked Modi, fought with Nitish, made his illiterate wife Rabri the CM, turned a blind eye to caste genocides by Bhumihars, Rajputs and Dalits etc.

It's not until the section of Nitish arrives that you realise that this book can very easily be (and it actually might be) a pro-Nitish propaganda machine. As per the book, EVERYTHING about Lalu's term was bad and almost EVERYTHING about Nitish's term has been good. I'm extremely uncomfortable with extremes and when politics is looked at from a binary lens.

The one star less is because of this. I wish the author was more objective about his criticism and reflections on Bihar instead of picking sides. The language and editing could have been sharper too.

Pick this up if you want to know more about a state that unfortunately looks like it's beyond repair. Get ready to highlight most of the book and paste bookmarks everywhere.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not Indian, and like most Westerners, what I knew about the country was superficial and oversimplified.

What struck me most in this book was to learn how inseparable religion, caste, and politics are, not as three distinct forces that occasionally intersect, but as a single braided current running through every event. Caste here is not simply a social hierarchy, it is an electoral strategy, a survival mechanism, a source of identity, pride, grievance, and violence, sometimes all at once.

The author does not reduce any of this to simple villains and heroes. Some leaders he writes about are painted with genuine complexity: men who rose as voices of the oppressed, yet whose time in power became defined by the very dysfunction they had promised to end. That contradiction sat with me long after I finished reading.

There were moments when I had to look things up: the layers of OBC politics, the specifics of reservation policy, the Mandal Commission, and I cannot pretend I absorbed every nuance on a first read. But the author writes with enough narrative warmth that even a complete outsider rarely feels excluded. He seems to understand that Bihar's story deserves a wider audience than its own people.

I don't fully understand Bihar yet, and perhaps I never will from the outside. But this book gave me something specific: enough understanding to ask better questions

[Sourav Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hailing myself from Nalanda Bihar, which would otherwise only provide for a partial outlook of Bihar, the book encompasses the true fabric of the state. Of all legends we otherwise hear from Bihar, the book provides for the crudest account of the countryside people. The natives so peculiarly appropriated by the author is a timeless footprint which otherwise so long has been seen from only a distance. What it is like to wake at the dawn in one of the culturally richest yet faintly acknowledged state, the book is a feast encompassing socio-cultural, political and economic paradigm of the state. A must read !!!

[ShiVam MisHra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives the history of Bihar and its current relevance with state politics. The book which is divided into 15 chapters, will surely help anyone who wants to the whereabouts of Bihar and why it faced various massacre, caste based crimes, naxal attacks etc. after the independence. Why Bihar is underprivileged and far behind when it comes to development, why this state has been in a tug of war situation for power occupancy, it answers such questions. From Karpoori Thakur to Nitish Kumar, Bihar had come a long way and the politics of the state has evolved accordingly. It will take you through the annals of Bihar and will make you aware of the heinous crimes which shook the nation.

[Amit Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book does an excellent job of answering what many Indians wondered while growing up: Why is Bihar always in the news for the wrong reasons? The author provided a nice chronological account of a series of political missteps that led the state to its present condition. It also serves as a warning to the larger Indian state as to what might go wrong in the future if caste based politics is further adapted. The way the current trajectory of the political discourse is going (especially by the opposition), frankly it's not impossible and that's why the book is a bit scary to read as well.

[Anurag Moitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers a solid introduction to Bihar's political landscape, touching upon key aspects of the infamous Jungle Raj era.

While it provides a broad overview, it might leave some readers wanting more in-depth discussions of certain topics. However, given the vast amount of information to cover, a more comprehensive exploration could have significantly increased the book's length.

Ultimately, this book is well-suited for young readers or those seeking a nostalgic glimpse into the "good old days" of Jungle Raj.

[Biswapriya Mazumder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The vivid portrayal of the expectations of the people of the land, the betrayals by the leaders in power, the casteism and how these complicated issues revolves, narrated in a nice storytelling style keeps the reader glued to the book......

This heavily researched upon literature is a must read for anyone who wants a peek into the situations that formed the politics of one of the most populous states in the largest democracy of the world.

[Sankalp Awasthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrityunjaya Sharma, in his debut, has written the quintessential book on the dark age of modern Bihar (1990-2005). Lalu’s raj, characterised as Gunda Raj in almost all published media, is analysed and dissected in great detail. The cast politics, government-criminal syndicate, brain drain and labour migration, and the general apathy of the politicians to govern is explained in well formed verses, complete with references and anecdotes.

This book is a 101 read for anyone interested in politics and wants to learn how Bihar happened to be in its present state.

[Ravish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well researched book on the political chronology of Bihar. It gave me a lot of insights on Bihar and Bihari diaspora. The caste wars, criminalization of politics, ignoring development over vote bank politics during Lalu's jungle raj brought back so many memories of my growing years. Mrityunjay Sharma has penned down the complex history of Bihar in very carefully drafted storyline which is both pacy and thrilling. Worth reading and gifting to those curious about Bihar.

[Saurav Anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and well presented

Great authorship by Mrityunjay ji. Lucid details about important milestones in Bihar’s history with a rather unbiased approach. Having been born and brought up in Bihar, many aspects of this book connected to my own memory of the place during the 90s.

[Sana Farheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit skeptical to read this book given the author’s association with BJP (not mentioned anywhere in the preface or blurbs), but was pleasantly surprised by the relatively unbiased storytelling. The book is easy to read but lacks details for some incidents. Overall, a good primer on Bihar politics.

[Himanshu Kapila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth is stranger than fiction

Mrityunjay has done something exceptional with this book. Most of us have heard on news about Bihar. He tells fascinating story of why things happened the way they happened. I finished the book in 4 days due to the curiosity it generated. Strongly recommended.

[Satyajeet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written with a narrative to describe the timeline of the issues with cause and effect of many events that happened in Bihar during 1990 and 2005. Helps you understand what made Bihar 'Bihar' and how it got its image that it holds till today.

[Ajay Khaitan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read for anyone interested in Indian politics!

[Samant Satyendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!!

[Navdeep Pundhir · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Important book.

[Abhishek Anand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needs a part two. This book covers the Lalu regime. Part two would cover the Nitish regime. Also, a suitable prequel to this would be the time from pre independence to the time this book starts.

[Raveena Rana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and a lot of depth!

[Somsubhro Chaudhuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all those hailing Lalu Prasad Yadav as a beacon for secular politics, it is important to know the costs paid by the state of Bihar for his leadership and methods of keeping power.

[Nitesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most compelling read to a person who is interested in knowing all the recent history of Bihar and what all major incident happened in Bihar post independence.
the author has almost covered all the incidents and events of Bihar in detail.