Mithila is a proposed state in India, comprising the Maithili speaking region of Bihar and Jharkhand. The Maithili language has own traditional script, known as Mithilakshar. It is part of the historical Mithila region.[1] The proposed state will also include Whole Angika and Bajjika speaking districts which are considered to be dialects of Maithili.[2]
There was also a movement in the Maithili speaking areas of Nepal for a separate state which ended in 2015, after Constitution of Nepal (2015) ensured it in form of province two.[3]
History
Dr Laksman Jha and Others demanded a Mithila state shortly after independence and the former Chief Minister of Bihar, Jagannath Mishra has also expressed support for the creation of the state.[1]
Various organisations have been formed that demand the formation of a state including the Maithil Mahasabha and the Mithilanchal Vikash Congress the former received support from Raj Darbhanga.[4] Various demonstrations have taken place demanding a Mithila state with a major protest taking place in Delhi in 2009 organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Mithila Rajya Sangharsh Samiti.[5]
Political support
Mithila Rajya Nirman Sena
- Senior BJP leader, Rangnath Thakur, chairman and Founding member of Mithila Rajya Nirman Sena, has organised public rallies supporting Mithila.
Mithila Rajya Nirman Sena also did a Sankalp yatra under his leadership in 2017 and 2021 to create awareness and support for the movement[6]
Bharatiya Janata Party
- Former BJP MP Kirti Azad from Darbhanga (Current Congress leader) has organised multiple dharnas and protests in support of Mithila.[7] He has also launched a signature campaign in Mithila aiming to raise awareness.[8]
- Senior BJP leader, Tarakant Jha, former chairman of Bihar Legislative Council, has organised public rallies supporting Mithila.[9]
Janata Dal (United)
- In November 2011, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also extended his support for the statehood of Mithila.[10][11]
- Shravan Chaudhary, JDU state president, has openly supported the demand for the statehood of Mithila.[12]
Rashtriya Janata Dal
- Rabri Devi, former CM of Bihar, has always favoured the creation of a separate Mithila state.[13]
Justification for Separation
The demand for separate Mithila state has been there since creation of State of Bihar in 1912.[14]
- The problems of Mithila region are different from rest of Bihar.
- Maithili the language of the region has not been properly recognised. The 8th schedule of the Constitution of India includes the recognition of the 22 languages including Maithili (but in Devanagari Script). In Bihar Maithili is yet receive any official status.[15]
Challenges
Mithila is a poor and flood-prone region dependent on subsistence agriculture, leading to doubts over its economically feasibility as a separate state.[16]
The demand for a separate Mithila stems mostly from Darbhanga-Madhubani region, with virtually no support from Tirhut, Seemanchal, Angika speaking Bhagalpur & Munger divisions and Bhojpuri speaking East & West Champaran districts.[17]
See also
References
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