BIHAR>JHANJHARPUR: A Nobel peace prize nominee, 60-year-old Tiliya Devi, a Musahar, is challenging the three political heavyweights contesting from Jhanjharpur parliamentary constituency. She is the AAP candidate. She is fighting against five-term MP Devendra Prasad Yadav of JD (U), sitting JD (U) MP Mangani Lal Mandal now contesting on RJD ticket and Birendra Kumar Chaudhary (BJP). One thing is common in all these three candidates. They all had RJD links.
Tiliya, mother of three adult sons, during her 15-hour nonstop campaign from the remote dusty lanes and by-lanes of the interiors, moves mostly on motorcycle. She has been receiving encouraging response from unexpected sections of the society, a supporter, Devan said. "Her leadership and organizational capabilities are outstanding," said AAP campaigner Ram Kripal Amar who has come here from New Delhi.
In 1990s, Tiliya had discovered a 156-acre plot of land in her village belonging to the Dalits which the Yadav landlords had encroached on. Initiating a series of protest rallies, Tiliya spread the word to reclaim the land. "I led a protest and charted out their demands. The agitation finally bore fruit in 2004, when the land was legally handed over to the Musahars," she said, sitting in her party office in Jhanjharpur. In 2001, Tiliya contested the panchayat elections and was appointed a Panchayat Samiti member. "Tiliya has worked tirelessly for two decades to create awareness about Dalit rights to land given under the Bhoodan movement," said activist Deepak Bharati, Tiliya's mentor during her early agitation days.
source:TOI
source:TOI
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