The Tharu indigenous community, residing in remote areas near the Nepal border, continues to lack adequate political representation, despite a population of over three million.
On January 8, 2003, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, the Tharus were granted tribal status, ushering in a new era of development for the community. With access to reservations, Tharu individuals not only secured government jobs but also actively participated in local politics, education, sports, and cultural activities.
However, their political participation has largely been confined to local governance, with minimal representation in the three legislative assemblies of West Champaran district—Valmikinagar, Ramnagar, and Sikta Vish. Despite having approximately 1.6 million Tharu voters, their leaders struggle to secure positions in mainstream political parties or elevate their community’s concerns to the state and national levels.
Even after achieving a population of two percent, there is no provision for reserved seats in the state or national legislative bodies. The Tharu community leaders advocate for new provisions to enhance their political participation.
Following the tenure of prominent Tharu leader Prem Narayan Gadhwala, who served as a member of the Bihar Legislative Council and held ministerial positions from 1972 to 1990, no Tharu individual has been appointed to the Legislative Council. Despite the establishment of the Tharuhat Development Authority, which receives approximately 27 crore annually for the community’s development, the funds are not effectively utilized for their welfare.
The Tharu community remains significantly behind in terms of development. The absence of colleges, inadequate irrigation facilities, and neglect of Tharu culture preservation are major challenges. Tharu youths excel in sports, yet there is a lack of proper sports infrastructure in the region.
Furthermore, elected representatives seldom raise Tharu community issues in legislative sessions. Enhanced political representation through new provisions could address these concerns and accelerate Tharuhat’s development.
Notably, Harinath Prasad, Rameshwar Kazi, and Sanjay Ojha emphasize the urgent need for a degree college and cultural center in Harinath, the capital of Tharuhat, to promote education and preserve Tharu culture. They also highlight the lack of attention to Tharu concerns by elected representatives and advocate for increased political participation through revised regulations.
