Respected Nitish Kumar ji,
I went through your open letter to Narendra Modi. I liked it. It was just like you, cheeky, sarcastic and pointless. I liked the fact that you successfully played the victim card, bragged about culture and made Biharis feel like the step son of India. You have been doing this since a very long time and happen to be a pro at it. Well as far as I am concerned, I happen to be a Bihari as well, hence I feel obligated to respond to this letter. I have italicized your statements, you can find my response in Blue!
Few days back, while addressing a public rally in Bihar, a comment was made by you about my DNA. The issue has been troubling many of us since then. Now, as you are scheduled to visit the state again, I am writing to you on behalf of those who have felt hurt by your statement. Your words have been taken as an insult by a large section of the people of the state and beyond. Most of us also feel that coming from you, the comment is rather unbecoming of the office you hold.
Nitish Kumar Ji, In strict biological terms DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries most of the genetic instructions used in the development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms. In political terminology however, it refers to the inherent traits of a person or a group (if explicitly mentioned). Since Biharis as a group weren’t mentioned explicitly by Modi in the aforementioned Rally, hence there is no reason why a large section of people of Bihar would take a jibe against YOUR DNA as a personal insult unless they are your disciples, party workers, loyal fan boys or sycophants. I must remind you that Narendra Modi was in Patna for promoting his party of which you are a sworn adversary (you started it). In Election campaigning, jibing is a mundane affair, a seasoned politician like you must understand this.
But, this is not the first time that we have faced this. Earlier as well, your colleague and BJP leader, Mr. Nitin Gadkari had said that “casteism is in the DNA of Bihar”. Interestingly, these are the same people who reposed their faith in you and contributed towards electing you to the highest office of the country with an overwhelming majority. Ours is the same state that has been the cradle of civilization and has given birth to some of the greatest icons in history. Needless to say, when such statements are made, it weakens the collective faith of people in your leadership.
Very smart Nitish Kumar Ji, quoting Gadkari in this letter is very smart. Since your letter is intended at the sole purpose of infuriating Biharis, let me get this very straight. You failed. Gadkari already clarified that he meant the political DNA. And if anyone is to be blamed for the rampant casteism in the state, it is people like yourself and Lalu Prasad Yadav who reduced the bright Biharis to Agda, Pichda, Yadav, Muslim and others. Why do you always project a secular image of yours – for Muslim votes. Why did you create Mahadalit category – For Dalit votes. In the disguise of social engineering, you are dividing an already divided state and you accuse others of jibing at Bihar’s political DNA. Everyone knows that Bihar has a rich culture and a great history, but the point is what did you do with it? Did you make it a tourist hotspot? No? A cultural hub? No. An Education hub? No.
I am a son of Bihar. My DNA is similar as that of the people of Bihar. Modiji, as you know, my father was a freedom fighter and my mother an ordinary housewife. I grew up in a humble household in rural Bihar. In my 40 years of public life, I have tried to work for the betterment of people following the ideals of Gandhi, Lohia and JP. Most of us feel that these statements, beyond questioning my own descent, have disrespected the lineage of our people and have denigrated the great legacy of the state. This also gives credence to the feeling that perhaps you and your party hold a prejudice against the people of Bihar. I wonder how come the gravity of such statements repeatedly misses your alert conscience.
Nitish Kumar Ji, I am a son of Bihar too and I am not to sure about the DNA but yes I share the same problems that an ordinary Bihari faces. I am away from home from last 14 years because higher education in Bihar is in complete shambles. There are no jobs. I got my engineering degree from another state and currently I am slogging at a Multi-National Company in The National Capital Region because there are no jobs in my home state. And I do not wish to discuss about health and sanitation, infrastructure, law and order etc. at all otherwise this reply would turn into a bitter rant. Yes I hold a lot of prejudices too but against the government of Bihar. You were my last hope but you demolished my sand citadels and hence I am more vitriolic than ever.
Therefore, through this letter, I take the liberty to urge you to please consider taking back these words. I have no doubt that this gesture of yours would go a long way in assuaging the sentiments of the people and would further enhance the respect people have for you.
Nitish Kumar Ji, Through this letter I am doing the same and I urge you to stop being a hypocrite and talk about development of Bihar. Hear this loud and clear from a Bihari, You have broken the hearts of young and educated Biharis like me by partnering with Lalu. We voted you to power last time, we’ll vote you out of power this time.
Yours Truly,
Atul Kumar Mishra