In recent years, Jharkhand witnessed the sudden rise of a new face in regional politics — Jairam Mahto. Emerging from the Jharkhandi language movement, he built his identity as a fiery speaker and uncompromising advocate for Jharkhand’s cultural and linguistic pride. For many, his speeches carried the pulse of a long-neglected sentiment. So powerful was his influence that people across generations, even in villages, began following him. As one local observer noted, “Even my mother, who rarely watches politics, used to watch his speeches with admiration.”
But in politics, momentum is fragile. What appeared to be a meteoric rise for Mahto soon turned into a self-inflicted downfall.
The Turning Point: Kudmi ST Demand
The controversy began with the Kudmi/Kurmi community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Mahto, instead of weighing the sensitive history of tribal identity in Jharkhand, threw his full and blind support behind the Kudmi cause. For many Jharkhandi tribals, this was seen as a betrayal. While the language movement had united people across communities, the reservation demand divided them sharply.
For tribals, the inclusion of Kudmis as ST meant a direct threat to their constitutional rights and representation, which they had secured after decades of struggle. By aligning himself so openly with the Kudmi agenda, Mahto appeared to be shooting himself in the foot.
The Nisha Bhagat Episode
The conflict reached its peak with the emergence of Nisha Bhagat, a young tribal woman leader within Mahto’s party, the Jharkhand Loktantrik Kranti Morcha (JKLM). Nisha opposed the Kudmi ST inclusion, reflecting the widespread sentiment of tribal society. Instead of accommodating her voice, Mahto banned her from the party for six years.
This decision backfired immediately. The expulsion of Nisha Bhagat sent a strong message across Jharkhand — that JKLM was not a party of all Jharkhandis, but rather a Kudmi-centric and anti-Adivasi outfit.
Ironically, Nisha herself had earlier criticized the Christian community for allegedly using the Sarna flag for political gains. At that time, Mahto defended her, saying, “She is fighting for her community.” But when she spoke against Kudmis, the same principle of “community fight” was not extended to her. The contradiction was too glaring for people to ignore.
From Jharkhandi Pride to Kudmi Politics
What made Mahto popular was his ability to connect across caste and community lines under the banner of Jharkhandi pride. But the Kudmi reservation issue narrowed his base drastically. Instead of being seen as a pan-Jharkhandi leader, he was increasingly viewed as a sectarian voice for the Kudmis, alienating the very tribals who once saw him as their defender.
Lessons from the Fall
The downfall of Jairam Mahto shows how quickly public perception can change in Jharkhand’s political landscape. He once represented hope for a united Jharkhandi identity, but by mishandling sensitive tribal issues, he ended up reinforcing community divides. His handling of Nisha Bhagat, in particular, exposed both the fragility of his leadership and the inconsistency of his principles.
In Jharkhand, where identity politics runs deep, any leader who is seen as anti-Adivasi rarely survives. Jairam Mahto’s trajectory — from mass admiration to political isolation — is a case in point.
