Explainer: Who Burned Down 80 Dalit Homes in Bihar? A Detailed Account of the Rampage with Gunfire

Nawada- In Bihar’s Nawada district, on Wednesday evening, assailants burned down 80 Dalit houses after firing shots. The police have arrested 10 suspects in connection with the incident. However, the police have stated that only 21 houses were set ablaze.

The horrifying event took place in Nawada's Dalit settlement at around 8 PM. During this, the attackers opened fire and assaulted people, creating a tense atmosphere in the village. To control the situation, police from five stations have been deployed. So far, 15 arrests have been made, and the reason behind the incident is reported to be a land dispute. The fire consumed homes and cattle, though there were no human casualties.

The incident occurred in the Krishna Nagar Dalit settlement of the Mufassil police station area in Nawada district. Several cattle were also burned in the fire. Firefighting teams arrived at the scene and struggled to bring the blaze under control. However, by the time they succeeded, the homes, which were made of thatch and tiles, were reduced to ashes along with all the belongings inside.

Land dispute escalates, case pending in court

The root cause of the incident is said to be a long-standing land dispute. Dalit families have been residing on a large piece of land in the village, which is now being contested by another party. The case is currently being heard in court. The affected families allege that on Wednesday evening, a group of aggressors launched a sudden attack, assaulted the villagers, and set their homes on fire after dousing them in petrol. Shots were fired during the rampage.

Laxminiya Devi, a victim, said that their settlement is located on government land, which Nandu Paswan has been trying to claim. He, along with his associates, orchestrated the attack. "We have suffered massive losses," she stated.

Bhim Army leader Vishal Chaudhary mentioned that the assailants fired over 100 rounds on Wednesday evening before pouring petrol on the houses and setting them ablaze. Despite the police station being only 2 kilometers away, such a brutal attack was carried out. The attackers intend to evict the Dalits and seize their land. The villagers claim that 80-85 houses were set on fire.

Villagers also noted that they have been living on this land for many years. It belongs to the Bihar government, but land mafias have had their eyes on it for some time and were even selling parts of it. The locals were opposing this, which led to the violence.

So far, 10 individuals have been arrested. Based on the statements of the villagers, the police are identifying more suspects. A large contingent of district administration and police officials has been deployed for security. Magistrates and a heavy police presence have been stationed at the site.

Reactions from leaders

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, using social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the incident:

"The horrific burning down of an entire Mahadalit settlement in Nawada, destroying the homes of more than 80 families, exposes the terrifying reality of injustice against marginalized communities in Bihar. The cries of Dalit families, who have lost everything, and the sound of rampant gunfire have failed to awaken the sleeping government of Bihar. Under BJP and NDA leadership, such anarchic elements find refuge — they intimidate and suppress the Bahujans of India, preventing them from even demanding their constitutional rights. The Prime Minister’s silence is a tacit approval of this massive conspiracy. The Bihar government and state police must swiftly and strictly act against all culprits and rehabilitate the affected families to deliver full justice to the victims," Rahul wrote.

RJD leader and Former Dy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejashwi Yadav fiercely criticized the Nitish Kumar government following the incident. He expressed his anger, saying:

"This is not just jungle raj, but a reign of terror and destruction! Over 100 Dalit homes in Nawada have been set ablaze. In Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar’s rule, Bihar is engulfed in flames. The Chief Minister remains indifferent, and the NDA allies are clueless! What do they care if the poor suffer and die? Atrocities against Dalits will not be tolerated."

BSP supremo Mayawati also voiced her concern on social platform X, demanding an inquiry into the incident. She wrote: "The incident of setting fire to numerous homes of poor Dalits by oppressors in Nawada, Bihar, and leaving them devastated is extremely tragic and serious. The government should take stringent legal action against the culprits and provide full financial assistance to rehabilitate the victims."

Azad Samaj Party National President and MP Chandrashekhar Azad termed the incident, "a living example of lawlessness." He stated that his party’s team would visit the affected families. He also emphasized the atmosphere of fear among the victims and urged CM Nitish Kumar to immediately arrest the culprits, end the prevailing atmosphere of fear, restore law and order, provide financial assistance to the victims, and initiate a judicial investigation into the case.