The Janata Dal (United) has formally distanced itself from controversial remarks made by Assam BJP minister Ashok Singhal following the NDA victory in Bihar assembly polls, which were widely interpreted as referencing the 1989 Bhagalpur riots.
The Controversial Social Media Post
On November 14, as Bihar Assembly election results were being declared, Ashok Singhal, who serves as Assam's Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Irrigation, posted a cryptic message on his X account stating: "Bihar approves gobi farming." The one-line post was immediately seen as an allusion to the Bhagalpur riots and specifically to the Logain village massacre where perpetrators allegedly buried victims in mass graves and planted cauliflower crops to conceal evidence.
JD(U)'s Strong Rebuttal
JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar issued a sharp response to The Indian Express, clarifying the party's position. "Though the one-line X post by Singhal does not explain any context, let us make it clear that 14 people were convicted in the 1989 Bhagalpur riots case only after the Nitish Kumar government reopened the cases," Kumar stated emphatically.
The spokesperson further elaborated that the Nitish Kumar administration had established a commission that recommended compensation and pension for victims, emphasizing that "Our government stands for social cohesion and camaraderie." This response underscores the JD(U)'s careful balancing act within the NDA alliance while maintaining its pro-minority credentials in Bihar.
Historical Context of Bhagalpur Riots
The controversial "gobi farming" reference connects directly to one of the most horrific incidents during the Bhagalpur riots. On October 27, 1989, a mob of approximately 4,000 people attacked Muslims in Logain village of Bhagalpur, resulting in 116 deaths. The perpetrators were accused of burying the bodies in agricultural fields and planting cauliflower and cabbage saplings to hide the mass grave.
The Logain massacre remained undetected for 25 days until the then Bhagalpur additional district magistrate visited nearby Babura village and noticed vultures circling over cauliflower fields. The Bhagalpur riots overall lasted nearly two months, claiming over 1,000 lives predominantly from the Muslim community and displacing approximately 50,000 people.
Political Reactions and Singhal's Controversial History
Senior Assam Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi condemned Singhal's post as "a shocking new low in political discourse," adding that "To invoke such a tragedy in this manner shows how far some are willing to descend in public life." Gogoi directly linked this mindset to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging the Chief Minister "has a hatred for Indian minorities."
This incident represents just the latest in a series of controversies involving Ashok Singhal. The businessman-turned-politician, who has deeper roots in the Assam BJP than many of his cabinet colleagues, has previously stirred controversy with statements about 'miyas' - a derogatory term for Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam.
Earlier this year, AIUDF MLAs demanded a breach of privilege motion against him after he advised people not to allow 'miyas' to set up shops at an event in Dhekiajuli. Singhal has also shared AI-generated images linking Congress leaders with Pakistan and posted provocative content during the Delhi Assembly elections and after the Pahalgam attack.
Legal Outcomes and Political Implications
The JD(U)'s response highlights significant legal achievements in the Bhagalpur riots cases. In 2007, eighteen years after the Logain incident and two years after Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister, 14 individuals including former police officer Ramchander Singh were convicted and sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment. Overall, 38 people received sentences for their roles in the Bhagalpur riots.
The political implications of this exchange are significant, occurring just after the Bihar election results where the NDA secured victory. The JD(U)'s quick disassociation from Singhal's remarks demonstrates the party's commitment to maintaining its secular image while remaining in alliance with the BJP, a balancing act that has defined Nitish Kumar's political strategy for years.
