Journalist and author Vikas Kumar Jha offers a stark assessment of Bihar during the 2025 elections. Speaking with Outlook Editor Chinki Sinha, he acknowledges surface improvements: women travelling safely at night, infrastructure development, and better electricity.<br /><br />Yet, fundamental realities remain unchanged: deep poverty persists, migration continues, and caste determines votes over performance. “This is a triangle — caste, cash, and crime,” he states.<br /><br />From Professor Abdul Bari's murder in 1947 to recent killings in Mokama and Purnia, political violence forms an unbroken thread through Bihar's history. History-sheeters now constitute 71% of candidates, up from 68% in 2020. Bahubalis shift parties, get jailed, secure bail, and return to politics.<br /><br />Despite better roads and electricity, villagers note that deep poverty and casteism remain unchanged. “The dirt may not be visible on roads,” Jha observes, “but in our entire system, the rot is present.”<br /><br />Camera: Sandipan Chatterjee<br />Editor: Madiha Shakeel<br /><br />#BiharElections #VikasKumarJha #ChinkiSinha #OutlookIndia #BiharPolitics #CasteAndCrime #PoliticalViolence #IndianElections #BahubaliPolitics #SocialReality
