'Worst is over': A transition from dacoits to legislators in Bundelkhand

Representative photo

The political landscape of Bundelkhand has long been intertwined with the shadowy world of dacoits, where election outcomes were once dictated by those lurking in the ravines. What began as a symbiotic relationship between politicians and bandits evolved into a political dynasty, with dacoit families entrenching themselves in the corridors of power.

While some locals believe dacoits still exist, their threat has greatly reduced. Ram Niranjan, 49, recalls a brutal attack on his home one dark night in August 2012 by the Babli Kol gang in Doda Mafi, a village in Chitrakoot, resulting in the deaths of six family members. However, since Kol was killed in a police encounter in 2019, Niranjan says peace has been restored, and for the first time, his entire family feels safe enough to vote.

"The worst is perhaps over, and this is the first Lok Sabha poll without the menace of dacoits. We will vote for law and order, an issue that, along with employment, affects the poor the most," he said.

The dacoits and politicians had a deeply intertwined relationship. Six out of seven districts in Bundelkhand, including Jhansi, Jalaun, Banda, Mahoba, Hamirpur, and Chitrakoot, were dacoit-infested. Figures like Dadua, Nirbhay Singh Gurjar, and Thokia rose to prominence, declaring themselves rulers of the ravines. Over time, they transitioned from outlaws to political patrons, wielding significant influence over electoral outcomes.

Initially, politicians would seek bandit support to secure election victories. However, as time passed, dacoit progenies entered politics themselves. Dadua, infamous in Chitrakoot, Mahoba, Banda, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, established a political legacy. Despite his death in a 2007 encounter, his son Veer Singh became an MLA from Chitrakoot, and his brother Bal Kumar Patel won the MP seat from Mirzapur. Even Dadua's nephew, Ram Singh, secured the Patti assembly seat in Pratapgarh.

Similarly, Ambika Patel alias Thokia's family ventured into politics. Thokia's aunt Sarita was elected uncontested as the head of Karvi block in Banda in 2005, while another aunt, Savita, secured a spot in the District Panchayat without opposition. In 2007, Thokia's mother, Pipariya Devi, contested the Naraini Assembly seat in Banda under the Rashtriya Lok Dal banner, rallying support in Thokia's name. Nirbhay Singh Gurjar wielded considerable influence over the politics of Garautha in Jhansi, as well as Jalaun and Bhoganipur, ensuring victories for his favored candidates.

Another notable figure was Phoolan Devi from Gorha village in Jalaun district. Following the infamous Behmai incident in 1981, she gained national attention. In 1996, two years after her release from prison, the Samajwadi Party gave her a Lok Sabha ticket. Phoolan triumphed in her first electoral contest, becoming an MP from Mirzapur, though she was later assassinated.

"There might be some smaller bandits still hiding somewhere, but due to proactive policing, not many would muster the courage," said Prahlad Vishwakarma, a local carpenter.

As Bundelkhand bids farewell to the era of dacoit-dominated politics, a new chapter unfolds, marking a transition from the ravines to the legislative chambers. Signs of government efforts to transform the region into a tourism hub are evident, with initiatives to provide potable water and construct roads to ease commutation.

The state's first glass skywalk bridge, shaped like Lord Ram’s bow, is being constructed at Tulsi waterfall. Additionally, the area around Kalinjar Fort is undergoing renovations to attract tourists. Virendra Gupta, a resident of Banda, noted that new motorable roads now allow tourists to drive to the fort. “In my childhood, we used to climb stairs to get there. The area had dense forest, and tourists were often waylaid by dacoits,” he recalled. “That is a thing of the past now.”

Locals’ express optimism about the region's development, anticipating that increased tourist footfalls will boost the economy.

Ground reality

On the ground, the focus has shifted from dacoits to pressing issues like unemployment and stray cattle. "There is widespread inflation and joblessness. People continue to migrate out," said Raja Bhiaya, a convener of NGO Vidya Dham Samiti. “People applied for government jobs but paper leaks have dashed their hopes

The region, rugged and water-starved, has seen efforts from the BJP government to provide drinking water through the Har Ghar Nal scheme. However, locals report gaps in execution, with many pipes not connected to houses. A 'Jal Saheli' team surveyed 26 villages and found water supply remains problematic. While the BJP government’s free ration scheme has fared better, some still sell rice to buy wheat.

For Dalits, the 'Samvidhan' (Constitution) is a major issue, with concerns that a BJP majority could alter it to their detriment. The INDIA bloc has capitalized on these fears, warning that another BJP term might jeopardize reservation benefits.

As Bundelkhand moves forward, it does so with a cautious optimism, hopeful that its political evolution will bring lasting peace and development.

Polling in Bundelkhand region is on May 20.