CPIML’s Badlo Bihar Mahajutan: The Clarion Call to Transform Bihar
On March 2, 2025, Patna’s Gandhi Maidan witnessed historic gathering of thousands of people from nooks and corners of Bihar representing various ongoing people’s movement and struggles. The gathering under the banner of CPIML’s Badlo Bihar Mahajutan (Transform Bihar Gathering) marked a pivotal movement in the landscape of people’s struggle in the state.
The gathering brought together a vast coalition of workers, farmers, students, youth, and marginalised communities. The gathering, forged through the struggles of the last year October’s Badlo Bihar Nyay Yatra and regional assemblies, marked a decisive rejection of the ruling NDA regime’s policies of betrayal and injustice.
On the eve of the gathering, all streets and roads leading to Gandhi Maidan was filled with sea of people carrying the red flags as they began reaching Gandhi Maidan.
"Multiple issues, but one resolution — Bihar must change," declared CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya as he addressed a massive gathering at Patna's Gandhi Maidan. He said that the BJP regime is seeking to impose a regime of loot, repression, police brutality, and feudal oppression in the state. "Bihar will not turn back; this land is a laboratory of struggles, and change is inevitable," he asserted.
Mahajutan: A beacon of hope to Transform Bihar
The mahajutan began with the series of cultural and revolutionary song presentation energising the thousands of people carrying the red flag of struggle. As chants of "Badlo Bihar" echoed through Gandhi Maidan, the Mahajutan stood as a beacon of hope — a promise that Bihar's people will not be silenced, and change is inevitable. The gathering symbolised the unity of multiple movements, with diverse sections and organisations joining forces to present their issues collectively.
The mahajutan witnessed a large number of Scheme workers and their on-going struggles. ASHA workers were one of the largest contingents at the event. They play a crucial role in the state’s healthcare system, and their primary demand was the reinstatement of the Rs. 2,500 honorarium that was granted during the Mahagathbandhan government. Poonam Devi, speaking on behalf of the ASHA workers, emphasised the need for this increase and urged the government to fulfil their promise. Anjusha Devi from Gaya highlighted that Jeevika cadres were instrumental in bringing Nitish Kumar to power. She warned that if the government ignored their rights, they had the strength to oust it from office. This statement resonated as a message of solidarity and determination among the protesters.
Saroj Chaubey, representing the Rasoiya Sangh (school cooks union), raised concerns about the dire conditions faced by cooks preparing midday meals for children. She demanded better working conditions and dignified wages to enable them to perform their duties effectively.
Meeta Devi, representing the Martyrs' Widows Association, voiced the struggles faced by widows of fallen soldiers. She demanded facilities and support for martyrs' families, hoping to bring attention to their hardships and secure government assistance.
Nal-Jal Pump Operators' Union highlighted poor working conditions and demanded better facilities. Bihar Progressive Electrical Workers’ Union called for improved work conditions and rights for electrical workers. Bihar State Motivators' Union advocated for the protection of their professional rights. Bihar State Sanitation Supervisors and Workers' Union demanded better living and working conditions for sanitation workers. Flood, Drought, and Erosion Victims’ Front called for relief and long-term solutions for those affected by natural disasters. Unorganised Workers' Union represented informal sector workers and pushed for their rights and welfare.
AISA, AIPWA, AICCTU, AIPF, AILAJ, AIARLA, Insaaf Manch, RYA, AIKM and Social Justice Movement joined the historic gathering. They addressed issues of social justice, women’s rights, and rural workers' entitlements, further amplifying the collective voice of the Mahajutan.
“Time has come”: CPIML GS
In his address, Com. Dipankar highlighted the mounting distress of the marginalised: the poor, farmers, workers, Dalits, Adivasis, women, Muslims, and street vendors. "The time has come to transform this pain into power. The various movements and struggles must converge, and today, from Gandhi Maidan, we resolve to bring change to Bihar."
According to a recent survey, 50% of respondents believe the Bihar government has completely failed, while 25% consider it ineffective but lack a concrete vision for change. "If 75% of people feel this way, let the BJP live in their fantasy world. Bihar will choose the same path as Jharkhand, where the BJP was ousted. The journey that paused in 2020 will resume, and despite Nitish Kumar's departure, our victories in multiple 2024 Lok Sabha seats show that change is already underway," he added.
The rally marked a critical step towards uniting Bihar's fighting forces. Com. Dipankar reminded the audience of the farmers' victory in Delhi, where sustained protests forced the Modi government to repeal the farm laws. "If Bihar's workers and farmers resolve, they can repeal the four anti-labour codes and restore the old pension scheme," he said.
He lambasted the BJP's communal politics, referencing Giriraj Singh's divisive Seemanchal tour. "We won't be distracted by their communal conspiracies; we will fight on our issues," he vowed. He condemned the Modi regime’s hollow promises of housing during 'Amrit Kaal', noting that homes were demolished instead of being built, and smart meters were imposed. "If Jharkhand can give elderly women Rs. 2500, why can't Bihar?" he asked.
Com. Dipankar warned of the BJP's attempts to dismantle reservation through lateral entry and privatisation. "The one right that caste oppression could not snatch away — reservation — is now in danger. Without government jobs and public education, where will reservation exist?" he asked.
He criticised the delay in implementing the 65% reservation policy passed in the Bihar Assembly. "If BJP and JD(U) agree, let them pass it in Parliament and place it in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. Dalit reservation should rise to 20%, and Adivasis, who form 2% of the population in many districts, should be counted. Don’t just give Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur; protect the reservation he fought for," he demanded.
Com. Dipankar exposed the farce of 'special status' and 'special packages' promised to Bihar. "What special package? No colleges, schools shutting down, ASHA workers and rural health workers neglected. Minimum wages remain unpaid, and crop procurement doesn’t happen at MSP rates. What kind of package ignores basic survival?" he asked.
He denounced the state’s failure to deliver Rs. 2 lakh and land rights to the poorest, as promised. "In 20 years, Nitish Kumar has become indistinguishable from the BJP. Bihar’s people have given him multiple chances, but he chose to hand the state to the BJP, which now dreams of turning Bihar into a laboratory of oppression and mob lynching. But Bihar has always been a laboratory of struggle. We will not let their conspiracy succeed. Bihar will march forward, and it will change," he concluded.
Badlo Bihar Mahajutan: Resolutions
'Badlo Bihar Mahajutan' was a significant and impactful event where various social, political, and professional groups from Bihar came together to raise their voices and pressure the state government to address their demands. The gathering giving the clarion call to end the rule of oppression and injustice in the state adopted following resolutions:
For two decades, the NDA government in Bihar has functioned as a "double bulldozer" regime — crushing people’s aspirations while serving corporate interests. Basic necessities have been sidelined, and Bihar has been reduced to a cheap labour zone. The Mahajutan resolved to turn this tide, with the people’s assembly vowing to make public issues the central agenda for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections.
The gathering highlighted the unfulfilled promises to nearly 9.5 million poor families — the promised assistance of Rs. 2 lakh, 5 decimal plots of land, and permanent housing with clean drinking water and electricity by 2022. These unfulfilled pledges, coupled with rising violence against Dalits, women, and the poor, have fuelled a collective call for change.
From the first war of independence in 1857 to the Rajwar rebellion, the anti-zamindari movements, and the struggles led by socialist and communist movements, Bihar has been the cradle of resistance. The Mahajutan asserted that this legacy would continue, with a united front determined to defeat the BJP’s fascist agenda and prevent Bihar from being plunged into the flames of communal violence, as witnessed in Uttar Pradesh.
The Mahajutan issued a clarion call to defend the Indian Constitution against the RSS-BJP’s attempts to dismantle secularism and socialism. The gathering condemned the 75th anniversary insults to Dr B.R. Ambedkar by BJP leaders and denounced the RSS chief’s assertion of the Ram Mandir as a symbol of true freedom. The people vowed to safeguard Ambedkar’s vision of an egalitarian society where dignity, rights, and equal opportunities are guaranteed to all.
The Mahajutan fiercely criticised the Modi government’s silence on the mistreatment of Indian migrants in the United States, labelling it a betrayal of the nation’s dignity and sovereignty. The assembly demanded immediate intervention to ensure the safe and respectful return of all affected migrants and insisted on guarantees to protect Indian citizens from injustice on foreign soil.
From state-sponsored violence against Dalits and women to the brutal police repression of protesting BPSC candidates, the Mahajutan exposed the systemic rot of feudal-criminal elements and bureaucratic corruption. The people of Bihar pledged to build an even stronger unity among all progressive forces to dismantle this oppressive regime and usher in a new era of justice, equality, and people’s power.
The Mahajutan also witnessed presence of from leaders outside Bihar, including Arup Chatterjee (MLA from Nirsa, Jharkhand), Vinod Singh (former MLA from Bagodar) and Sudhakar Yadav (UP state secretary). Senior party leaders like Swadesh Bhattacharya, KD Yadav, Rameshwar Prasad, Prabhat Kumar Chaudhary, Meena Tiwari, and Manju Prakash, and CPI(ML) MPs Rajaram Singh and Sudama Prasad were also present at the mahajutan.
