Publisher Westland Books is all set to release a new book about one of the most controversial eras in the post-Independence history of any state in India. Titled ‘Broken Promises: Caste, Crime and Politics in Bihar’, the book is written by Mrityunjay Sharma, an entrepreneur and social activist. As the title suggests, ‘Broken Promises’ is a deeply researched book on Bihar’s socio-political history, especially focusing on the 90s. It tells the story of Bihar’s plunge into an abyss of crime, corruption, and economic ruin during the tumultuous decade of the 1990s, often referred to as the ‘Jungle Raj’ years… Mrityunjay Sharma traces the post-Independence socio-politics of Bihar and the momentous events leading up to the ’90s: the unravelling of long-standing Congress governments, the rise of OBC assertion with Lohiaite politics, the JP movement that put the spotlight on young leaders like Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar, Karpoori Thakur’s reservation formula, the rise of Naxal movements and the entry of socialist governments. 10 March 1990, the day Lalu took oath, was one of hope for millions in the state battered by poverty, caste atrocities, and inequality. The political triumph of Lalu, a vociferous champion of the marginalized, as a reaction to centuries of oppression and the promise of upliftment and inclusion, ironically, worsened the socio-economic disparities in the state, accompanied by grave misgovernance, flourishing crime syndicates and caste armies, and the center-staging of formidable bahubalis in politics,’ reads the book’s blurb. Talking about the book, author Mrityunjay Sharma said in a statement, ‘Growing up in undivided Bihar, I frequently found myself pondering over the consistent negative portrayal of the state in the news. The explanations I encountered seemed overly simplistic. Bihar stands out as one of the most intricate socio-political states in India, molded by a multitude of factors. This book offers readers a chance to explore the socio-political landscape of Bihar, delving into the events that have influenced its contemporary state. It sheds light on the reality of navigating through the tumultuous and highly controversial 1990s, a decade that played a defining role in shaping Bihar into what it is today.’ The book is expected to be out in March 2024.