ThePrint 2005 Writings on the Wall:Stirrings of aspiration for a better life,signs of change & fair elections
Oct 16, 2025
Explore the dynamic political landscape of Bihar as Shekhar Gupta delves into the 2005 elections, highlighting the province's demand for essentials like electricity and education. Discover how community participation and evolving aspirations signal a shift towards governance. The discussion also examines the role of K.J. Rao in ensuring fair elections and improving safety, along with village creativity showcased through wall paintings. Ultimately, it raises questions about whether aspirations for social justice will evolve into demands for effective governance.
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Bihar As A Political Classroom
- Bihar is the clearest classroom for understanding Hindi heartland politics because politics is discussed openly across genders and social spaces.
- Shekhar Gupta emphasizes Bihar's unusually candid public political discourse as a learning ground for wider Hindi-zone dynamics.
Aspirations Shift Toward Services
- By 2005 Bihar voters began shifting aspirations from pure social justice to basic services: electricity, roads, water and education.
- Gupta frames this as a potential transformation from identity politics toward governance and dignity.
K.J. Rao's 'No Shortcuts' Enforcement
- Gupta and his group praise K.J. Rao's role in enabling fair elections in Bihar's 2005 second round.
- He recounts brief interactions and Rao's constant phone activity while enforcing election rules with the mantra 'no shortcuts.'
