BP Mandal
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B. P. Mandal: A Biography
Courtesy Perplexity AI
Early life
Family background
B. P. Mandal was born on August 25, 1918, in Banaras (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh, as the third son of zamindar Rasbeharilal Mondal. He was brought up in the family’s ancestral village of Murho in Madhepura district (then Saharsa district), Bihar. The Mandal family held significant landed property and was part of the rural elite, yet Mandal would become famous as a champion of social justice and the rights of the underprivileged and backward classes.yadavhistory ==Education== Mandal had his early education in Madhepura district before attending Raj High School in Darbhanga. He continued his studies at Patna College and trained in law. His early professional career included a role as an Honorary Magistrate from 1945 to 1951, which provided him firsthand exposure to local governance and rural society.yadavhistory
Early Political Career
Mandal’s entry into politics began with the Indian National Congress. He was first elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1952 as an independent-minded local leader. His tenure as a legislator reflected his growing interest in issues of equity and rural development.yadavhistory Over time, Mandal grew attracted to socialist ideology and left the Congress to join the Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP), which was particularly influential in Bihar due to its advocacy of backward class empowerment. He was elected several times to both the Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) and Lok Sabha (national parliament), establishing a reputation for independence and fearlessness.wikipedia+1
Chief Minister of Bihar: A Short Tenure
Mandal’s most high-profile role in state politics came in February 1968 when he briefly served as the 7th Chief Minister of Bihar. He took office at a time of significant coalition-making and rapid political flux, leading a government dominated by representatives of OBCs (Other Backward Classes).feminisminindia+1 His cabinet set a precedent in Bihar’s politics by elevating OBC participation and visibility—traditionally political power had been concentrated among upper castes. However, his government, dependent on shaky coalition support and facing intense internal opposition, lasted just 47 days. He resigned as a protest against Congress interference, particularly the removal of the T. L. Venkatarama Aiyar Commission set up to investigate political corruption.themooknayak+2
Struggles and Parliamentary Work
After his resignation, Mandal remained a prominent advocate for the backward classes. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in by-elections from Madhepura soon after leaving the Chief Minister's office, and again in 1977 on a Janata Party ticket.wikipedia+1 Throughout his legislative career, Mandal was known for taking bold stances. One notable incident was his strong opposition to caste-based atrocities—when a Kurmi village in Pama suffered violence at the hands of Rajput landowners (and abuse by police), Mandal demanded government action and compensation for the victims. When pressured to drop his plea, he switched from the governing to opposition benches to continue his fight for justice for OBCs.feminisminindia
The Shoshit Dal and Social Justice
Dissatisfied with the ability of mainstream parties to represent backward classes, Mandal created the Shoshit Dal (Party of the Oppressed) in 1967, which sought to be a voice for the marginalised and downtrodden.wikipedia+1 He repeatedly resigned from elected offices, including the Bihar Assembly, as a protest against what he saw as entrenched corruption and anti-backward class bias in government. His alliance with Jayaprakash Narayan during the Bihar Movement (JP Movement) demonstrated his desire for systemic reform and clean governance.themooknayak+1
Chairmanship of the Mandal Commission
Mandal’s greatest contribution came not as a state minister, but at the national level: he chaired the Second Backward Classes Commission (popularly, the Mandal Commission), set up in December 1978 by the Janata Party government under Morarji Desai.scribd+1 ==Mandate and Methodology== The Commission was tasked with identifying the socially and educationally backward classes (OBCs) across India and recommending policies for their advancement. It relied on 11 social, educational, and economic criteria—identifying 3,743 castes as OBCs, constituting about 52% of India’s population.vajiramandravi+1
Key Recommendations
The Commission proposed 27% reservation for OBCs in public sector employment and institutions of higher education.vajiramandravi+1 This would add to the existing 22.5% quota for SC/STs, making total reservations nearly 50%. The Commission also introduced the concept of the “creamy layer”—better-off OBC families who would not be eligible for reservation benefits.vajiramandravi Recommendations included furthering land reform, educational access, financial welfare schemes for artisans, and special support for underdeveloped areas.vajiramandravi ==Impact and Legacy== The Mandal Commission's report, submitted in late 1980, was initially set aside but later implemented in 1990 by Prime Minister V.P. Singh. This changed the social and political landscape of India, triggering a new era of backward-class assertion and caste-based reservation politics.scribd+1
Later Years and Death
Mandal continued to be recognized as a leader of social justice even after the implementation of the Mandal Commission. He passed away on April 13, 1982, survived by his wife Sita Mandal, five sons, and two daughters.yadavhistory
Legacy
B.P. Mandal is widely regarded as the "Messiah of the Backwards" and as a revolutionary figure who changed both Bihar and Indian politics by giving the majority OBC population a direct stake in governance and social justice. His work through the Mandal Commission remains central to debates on affirmative action and caste in India to this day.themooknayak+1
