Mithila (proposed Indian state)

This article is about a proposed state of India. For the historic region, see Mithila (region).

See also: Mithila State Movement

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]

Mithila
Proposed state
Seal
Country	India
Region	Mithila
Capital	Begusarai
Language	Maithili

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]

See also

• Mithila, Nepal
• Maithili language
• Maithili literature
• Maithil
• Maithili Music
• Mithila Painting
• Mithila Makhana
• Mithila (region)
• Saharsa
• Darbhanga
• Maithili (disambiguation)

References

1. Kumāra, Braja Bihārī (1998). Small States Syndrome in India. Concept Publishing Company. p. 146. ISBN 9788170226918. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
2. L. P. Vidyarthi (1981). "Development of Researches in Anthropology in India: A Case Study of Bihar". Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
3. Gellner, D.; Pfaff-Czarnecka, J.; Whelpton, J. (6 December 2012). Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom: The Politics and Culture of contemporary Nepal. Routledge. p. 251. ISBN 9781136649561. Archived from the original on 22 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
4. Kumāra, Braja Bihārī (1998). Small States Syndrome in India. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 148–152. ISBN 9788170226918. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
5. "Demonstration planned in Delhi for separate Mithila state | india | Hindustan Times". 14 December 2009. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
6. "मिथिला राज्य स्थापना को करेंगे संघर्ष तेज". Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
7. "Demand for Mithila state gains momentum, politicians join demonstration at Jantar Mantar". Post.jagran.com. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
8. "Maithili speaking people want own state | patna | Hindustan Times". 30 June 2007. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
9. "Yahoo Search - Web Search". Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
10. "article". Post.jagran.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2012. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
11. "राज्य पुनर्गठन : व्यापक हो नजरिया « संपादकीय ब्लॉग". Jagraneditorial.jagranjunction.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
12. "जेडी(यू) ने पृथक मिथिला राज्य की मांग का समर्थन किया- Navbharat Times". Navbharat Times. 22 January 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
13. "Archived copy". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
14. "Demand for Mithilanchal: Why carving out a new state from Bihar may backfire". India Today.
15. "Who are those demanding a separate Mithila state from Bihar?". 5 July 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
16. Darpan Singh (23 August 2022). "Demand for Mithilanchal: Why carving out a new state from Bihar may backfire". India Today.