Sunlight Sena was a caste-based militia formed by Rajputs and Upper-Caste Muslims in Bihar[1] to take on the ultra-Left wing groups of Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation and the Maoist Communist Centre and their Dalit supporters. Its primary aim was to protect the vast stretches of land owned by feudal elements from these two social groups. The founder leaders of the Sena were two Rajput feudal lords – Ranjit Singh of Raniganj and Vinod Singh of Bisrampur, but later on, they handed over the leadership to the Muslim feudal lords, the Pathans and Khans.[2] According to police records, however, the Sunlight Sena was brought into existence by the Muslim landlords in Dumharia village of the Gaya district of Bihar. Shaney Ali is said to be the founder leader in these records. It is also claimed that the activities of Sena later expanded to Palamu region of Jharkhand too. The date of its launch is said to be 1987.[3]
History edit
The Upper Caste Muslims have enjoyed comfortable relationships with the feudal elements of the Hindu society particularly the Rajputs and the Bhumihar landlords. Over the years, Pathans and Rajputs have enjoyed good relationship. The Upper Caste Muslims thus cultivated an alliance with these social groups among Hindus and targeted the Backward Castes among Muslims like Ansaris, Qureshis and Mansuris.[2]
References edit
- ^ S. K. Ghosh; Srikanta Ghosh (2000). Bihar in Flames. APH Publishing. pp. 60–. ISBN 978-81-7648-160-1.
- ^ a b "Will the Muslim militia polarise community on caste lines in Bihar's Imamganj?". Firstpost.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
- ^ "Ranvir Sena outlives other senas". Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
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