In the vibrant and diverse cultural mosaic of India, regional identities often carry distinct markers. For the people of Bihar, however, the term “Bihari,” originally intended to denote someone from the state of Bihar, has evolved into a word laced with condescension, stereotype, and prejudice. Over time, it has become a term of derision, often used to belittle and stigmatize the people of this landlocked state. But how did this once-neutral adjective transform into a slur? Let’s take a deeper look at the journey of the word "Bihari" — from identity to insult — and why it continues to pinch salt on an already open wound.
The Origins of “Bihari”
Bihar, one of India’s oldest states, has a rich historical and cultural legacy, being home to the ancient kingdoms of Magadh and Maurya, the birthplace of Buddhism, and the site of important centres of learning like Nalanda. The people of Bihar — Biharis — are therefore tied to a profound cultural heritage. The word “Bihari” itself simply means someone who hails from Bihar.
For centuries, it was a proud identifier, denoting the land and its people. In the years of the Indian development, prominent leaders from Bihar such as Rajendra Prasad, Karpoori Thakur, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Jayaprakash Narayan, contributed to the political landscape of the country. It wasn’t uncommon for Biharis to be seen as resourceful, spirited, and passionate, qualities that were celebrated in the context of India’s struggles for freedom.
The Shift: Stereotyping and Stigmatization
The transformation of the word "Bihari" from a neutral or even positive term to one carrying negative connotations began slowly, gaining momentum in the latter half of the 20th century. Two major factors contributed to this shift: economic migration and political underdevelopment.
The Economic Migration: Biharis on the Move
Historically, Bihar has faced economic challenges, with high rates of poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment. Faced with a lack of opportunities at home, Biharis moved in large numbers to other parts of India in search of work, particularly to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata. While their migration was driven by necessity, their arrival in these cities brought them into competition with locals for jobs, and this often led to resentment.
Over time, the influx of Bihari migrants was associated with the influx of laborers, rickshaw pullers, and domestic workers. The stereotype of the “Bihari migrant” was born — someone who was uneducated, unsophisticated, loud, overbearing, and, perhaps most unfairly, unskilled. This view was amplified by class and caste biases, as many migrants from Bihar came from marginalized communities. The sheer number of Bihari workers in major cities further entrenched these stereotypes, portraying them as “the other,” someone from a backward, underdeveloped region.
Political Underdevelopment and the Disempowerment of Bihar
While Bihar had once been a thriving cultural and intellectual hub, its economic and political fortunes began to decline post-independence. Over the decades, successive governments in Bihar, both at the state and national levels, failed to address issues like education, infrastructure, and healthcare in the region. As Bihar fell behind in development, the term “Bihari” began to be linked with backwardness and failure.
In popular imagination, Biharis were increasingly associated with political instability, corruption, and mismanagement, particularly during the tenure of leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, whose administration was accused of rampant corruption. As Bihar lagged behind other states like Maharashtra and Gujarat in terms of economic development, the people of Bihar became associated with a lack of progress — and the term “Bihari” came to symbolize inferiority and uncouthness.
The Derogatory Use: A Salt in the Wound
By the 1990s and early 2000s, the word “Bihari” was no longer simply a marker of geography. It had become a derogatory term. Biharis were portrayed in films, television, and the media as incompetent, unpolished, and unsophisticated. Famous Bollywood movies began using the term “Bihari” as a shorthand for a person who was rude, aggressive, and unrefined. These representations reinforced the narrative that people from Bihar were inherently inferior.
The most painful part of this phenomenon is that it wasn’t just a matter of being looked down upon by the people of more prosperous states. Over time, Biharis began to internalize this prejudice, leading to a sense of shame and marginalization. The word “Bihari” became a reminder of their socio-economic struggles, their state’s political instability, and their fight for dignity in a country that viewed them with scorn.
This stigma was compounded by incidents of violence and discrimination in metropolitan cities, where Bihari migrants were often scapegoated during times of unrest. In some parts of the country, political parties played on these prejudices, urging people to reject the influx of Bihari migrants in favor of “native” citizens, further stoking the fire of regional chauvinism.
Bihar’s Resistance: Challenging the Stereotype
Despite the stigmatization, the people of Bihar have always fought back. In recent years, there has been a conscious effort to reclaim the term “Bihari” and its associated identity. Bihar Day and the rise of regional pride movements have become platforms for celebrating Bihar’s rich history and cultural heritage. The increasing presence of Bihari professionals in fields such as academia, medicine, and business has helped to challenge the negative stereotypes.
Biharis themselves have embraced their identity with humour and defiance. A movement known as the Bihari Pride has taken root, with people of Bihar proudly declaring their roots, pushing back against the shame and stigma. The popularization of phrases like “Bihari hoon, garv hai” (I am a Bihari, and I am proud) marks a counter-narrative to the one imposed by outsiders.
The Wound That Won’t Heal
The term “Bihari,” once neutral, has undergone a troubling transformation from a geographical identifier to a powerful insult. It carries the weight of history, the scars of economic disparity, and the sting of political mismanagement. It serves as a reminder of the profound inequalities that exist within India, where the region of birth can define the quality of one’s life and future.
However, the story of the Bihari identity is not one of eternal victimhood. The people of Bihar continue to fight against the tide of negative stereotypes, working to redefine themselves on their own terms. In the end, the term “Bihari” is no longer just about geography—it’s about the resilience of a people who refuse to be defined by the prejudice of others. And that, perhaps, is the most powerful way to heal a wound that refuses to close.