Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi and Padmashri Ashok Bhagat released the book 'Broken Promises - Caste, Crime and Politics in Bihar' written by Mrityunjay Sharma at Audrey House, Ranchi. The program was moderated by Meenakshi Thakur, publisher of Westland Books.
While discussing the book, former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi discussed the situation during the partition of Bihar and Jharkhand in the 90s. He also described in detail about the discrimination faced by Jharkhand region during the era of undivided Bihar and the challenges he faced as Chief Minister after the creation of Jharkhand. In response to the question asked, he said that the situation has improved after the creation of a separate state. As the first Chief Minister, his first priority was to develop infrastructure and improve law and order.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh seemed quite impressed by the book. Praising the writer Mrityunjay, he said that this book will help in presenting the real image of Bihar among the policy makers and the educated section of the society. While discussing the background of the book, Harivansh recalled his journalistic days in Ranchi from the P. movement, he threw light on the legal system, politics, education, Naxalism and caste equation of then Bihar.
Padmashree Ashok Bhagat described Broken Promises as an excellent socio-political diary written in the context of Bihar. Talking about the problems of the social sector, he said that working in Bihar in the 90s was more difficult than in the present perspective.
Author Mrityunjay Sharma said that this book is the result of intensive study and research done for 5 years. Mrityunjay told that the Bihar of the 90s was no less than a tragedy for the people. Political strongmen were given the opportunity to emerge under the protection of power, taking political advantage by creating hatred in the society in the name of caste, establishment of kidnapping industry, misuse of government machinery became common in that era. Mrityunjay also discussed the similarity between the situation in Kashmir in the 90s and the situation of Jungle Raj in Bihar.
Mrityunjay has worked with Asian Paints in important positions after completing his studies from prestigious institutes like BIT Mesra and XLRI. After the job, he was also a part of the advisory committee of the then Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh. At present, along with serving as the election management chief of Jharkhand BJP, he is also providing free education to economically weaker children at many places in Ranchi through his organization Dutva Path.
Ranchi MLA CP Singh, former Kanke MLA Dr. participated in the program. Hundreds of people including Jitu Charan Ram, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University Vice Chancellor Tapan Shandilya, IHM Ranchi Director Bhupesh ji, YBN University Chairman Ramji Yadav and many dignitaries were present.
