Bihar polls: Netas drag Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’ in caste mess

FORBESGANJ (Araria): In the land of Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’, one of the most influential writers of modern Hindi literature in post-Premchand era, politicians are dragging Renu into the mess of caste politics as Bihar elections roll down to its last phase. Renu was born in 1921 in Forbesganj, nestled near Indo-Nepal border, where the political fervour runs high ahead of voting, which is scheduled for November 5.
In the world of literature not many writers are aware of the caste to which Renu belonged but come politicians in Forbesganj and everyone will tell you he was ‘dhanuk’, a sub caste of mandal. In the election season, the politicians are interested more in his caste than his literary works. They are taking by projecting Renu's caste, during poll campaigns.
Forbesganj legislator Padamprag Roy Venu, Renu’s son, said, “Though my father did not use Mandal as surname, he had ‘mandal’ tattooed in his left hand. He made the mandals proud by his work and achievements. The ‘dhanuks’ would vote en-block for the grand alliance.” He said there are several sub-castes within the mandal caste itself. “Though other sub-castes like ‘kewat’ might tilt towards BJP, the ‘dhanuks’ will vote for us without question."
It is a common trend in many Bihar villages to vote en-block. Many voters like to vote for the candidate for whom the entire village votes. Politicians here know well that Renu’s name still unites the ‘dhanuk’ voters who are around 25,000 to 30,000 in number.
Keeping this in mind BJP candidate Vidyasagar Keshri, a vaishya by caste, has roped in several 'dhanuk' leaders to woo the caste. He often comes to Aurahi Hinga, Renu’s village, with local ‘dhanuk’ leaders who are his supporters. In Aurahi Hinga he is trying to befriend the mukhiyas of local panchyats to ensure that Renu’s son is not able to keep the ‘dhanuks’ united.
“All ‘dhanuks’ are with BJP. In 2010 they voted for BJP. You can see I have a lot of local ‘dhanuk’ leaders with me,” Keshri said while pointing at Vidyanand Mandal and Anand Mandal among the many close aides he claimed were of ‘dhanuk’ caste.

A road signage indicating to Aurahi Hingna in Forbesganj. (TOI photo: Alok KN Mishra)
Influential mandal leader Venu, who won on BJP ticket in 2010, switched over to JD (U) before polls and is working hard to swing all mandal votes in favor of RJD candidate KN Biswas, a mandal by caste. Grand alliance hopes that being the son of Renu and also the local legislator, Venu can swing mandal voters in their favor. The Muslim voters are split for choices because there are many Muslim candidates among 12 contestants in the fray. “The man who solves the math of caste will emerge a winner. In place of development, caste is the issue. Sadly, politicians are dragging Renu into caste mess,” Manvendra Kumar, nephew of Renu said at the the open study room of Renu at Aurahi Hingna. He said the campaign strategists of candidates decide the place of campaigning keeping caste population in mind.
Keshri said Renu wrote against social evils and he must be very disappointed that his son is using his name for caste based vote bank politics. “He got a chance to represent Forbesganj in 2010. He did not do anything in last five years. He should not use Renu anymore for solving the caste mathematics,” Keshri said.
Even after 10 year of ‘sushashan’ by Nitish Kumar, Araria continues to live in the Middle Ages where many villages do not even have power, irrigation facilities. Hospitals and piped drinking water are dreams. Narendra Modi’s government at Center has also done little for the voters here.
The election campaigns elicit little response from voters haunted by poor roads, electricity, lack of irrigation, and employment in the assembly constituency. “They might get a few votes in the name of caste. But if they contest the election in the name of development no one will vote for them,” said Fahim Khan, a grocery shop owner at Jyoti Chowk.
It is strange that in the place where Renu was born people are not much interested in discussions about the works of Renu. Not many politicians or the general voters are interestingly aware about the content of the magnum opuses of Renu like 'Maila Anchal', 'Teesri Kasam Urf Maare Gaye Gulfam' and several other works. They are suffering due to lack of development but lack of development too is not as exciting an issue for them as caste calculations.