:Mithila (proposed Indian state)

{{About|a proposed state of India|the historic region|Mithila (region)}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Mithila

| type = Proposed state

| motto =

| anthem = Jay Mithila, Jay Maithili

| image_map = Mithila region of India.png

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}

| subdivision_type2 = Region

| subdivision_name2 = Mithila

| population_demonym = Maithil

| blank_name_sec1 = Language

| blank_info_sec1 = Maithili

| seat_type = Capital

| seat = Undecided

| official_name =

| image_seal = Emblem of India.svg

| image_map1 = Proposed Mithila State Map.jpg

}}

Mithila is a proposed state in India, comprising the Maithili speaking region of Bihar and Jharkhand. The Maithili language has own traditional script, known as Mithilakshar. It is part of the historical Mithila region.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nKqF_AgDd4gC&q=mithila+india+state&pg=PA148 | title=Small States Syndrome in India | access-date=16 February 2017 | page=146 | isbn=9788170226918 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217143622/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nKqF_AgDd4gC&pg=PA148&dq=mithila+india+state&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL0fDo2pXSAhVEKcAKHej6AicQ6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=mithila%20india%20state&f=false | archive-date=17 February 2017| last1=Kumāra | first1=Braja Bihārī | year=1998 | publisher=Concept Publishing Company }}

The proposed state will also include Whole Angika and Bajjika speaking districts which are considered to be dialects of Maithili.{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0g7KDdeV9EC&q=mithil+state+angika&pg=PA43 | title=Development of Researches in Anthropology in India: A Case Study of Bihar | access-date=19 February 2017 | author=L. P. Vidyarthi | year=1981 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220013153/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Y0g7KDdeV9EC&pg=PA43&dq=mithil+state+angika&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5noSYkZzSAhVMOBQKHYF1AqsQ6AEIJTAC#v=onepage&q=mithil%20state%20angika&f=false | archive-date=20 February 2017}}

There was also a movement in the Maithili speaking areas of Nepal for a separate state which ended in 2015, after Constitution of Nepal (2015) ensured it in form of province two.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n4FQMEiZcrIC&q=free+mithila+state&pg=PA251 | title=Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom: The Politics and Culture of contemporary Nepal | access-date=21 March 2017 | page=251 | isbn=9781136649561 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112034/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=n4FQMEiZcrIC&pg=PA251&dq=free+mithila+state&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiI1KfJw-XQAhXHJsAKHZ2bBSoQ6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=free%20mithila%20state&f=false | archive-date=22 March 2017| last1=Gellner | first1=D. | last2=Pfaff-Czarnecka | first2=J. | last3=Whelpton | first3=J. | date=6 December 2012 | publisher=Routledge }}

History

Dr Laksman Jha and Others demanded a Mithila state shortly after independence and the former Chief Minister of Bihar, Jagannath Mishra has also expressed support for the creation of the state.

Various organisations have been formed that demand the formation of a state including the Maithil Mahasabha and the Mithilanchal Vikash Congress the former received support from Raj Darbhanga.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nKqF_AgDd4gC&q=mithila+india+state&pg=PA148 | title=Small States Syndrome in India | access-date=16 February 2017 | pages=148–152 | isbn=9788170226918 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217143622/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nKqF_AgDd4gC&pg=PA148&dq=mithila+india+state&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL0fDo2pXSAhVEKcAKHej6AicQ6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=mithila%20india%20state&f=false | archive-date=17 February 2017| last1=Kumāra | first1=Braja Bihārī | year=1998 | publisher=Concept Publishing Company }}

Various demonstrations have taken place demanding a Mithila state with a major protest taking place in Delhi in 2009 organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Mithila Rajya Sangharsh Samiti.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/demonstration-planned-in-delhi-for-separate-mithila-state/story-awHWAfJ7iY0G8yhNegTzJM.html |title=Demonstration planned in Delhi for separate Mithila state | india | Hindustan Times |date=14 December 2009 |access-date=2017-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220012301/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/demonstration-planned-in-delhi-for-separate-mithila-state/story-awHWAfJ7iY0G8yhNegTzJM.html |archive-date=20 February 2017}}

Political support

=Mithila Rajya Nirman Sena=

Senior BJP leader, Rangnath Thakur, chairman and Founding member of Mithila Rajya Nirman Sena, has organised public rallies supporting Mithila.

Mithila Rajya Nirman Sena also did a Sankalp yatra under his leadership in 2017 and 2021 to create awareness and support for the movement{{cite web |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/news/darbhanga/article1-Mithila-State-Struggle-fast-installation-will-665568.html |title=मिथिला राज्य स्थापना को करेंगे संघर्ष तेज |access-date=2017-01-14 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023064056/https://www.livehindustan.com/news/darbhanga/article1-Mithila-State-Struggle-fast-installation-will-665568.html |archive-date=23 October 2021 }}

=Bharatiya Janata Party=

Former BJP MP Kirti Azad from Darbhanga (Current Congress leader) has organised multiple dharnas and protests in support of Mithila.{{cite web |url=http://post.jagran.com/demand-for-mithila-state-gains-momentum-politicians-join-demonstration-at-jantar-mantar-1312256949 |title=Demand for Mithila state gains momentum, politicians join demonstration at Jantar Mantar |publisher=Post.jagran.com |date=2 August 2011 |access-date=4 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064127/http://post.jagran.com/demand-for-mithila-state-gains-momentum-politicians-join-demonstration-at-jantar-mantar-1312256949 |archive-date=4 March 2016}} He has also launched a signature campaign in Mithila aiming to raise awareness.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/patna/maithili-speaking-people-want-own-state/story-OyxBKqJtrGYhp47GrsiR5N.html |title=Maithili speaking people want own state | patna | Hindustan Times |date=30 June 2007 |access-date=2017-02-21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222111129/http://www.hindustantimes.com/patna/maithili-speaking-people-want-own-state/story-OyxBKqJtrGYhp47GrsiR5N.html |archive-date=22 February 2017}}
Senior BJP leader, Tarakant Jha, former chairman of Bihar Legislative Council, has organised public rallies supporting Mithila.{{cite web |url=http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/epaper/article/index.php?page=article&choice=print_article&location=24&category=&articleid=6242779130240 |title=Yahoo Search - Web Search |access-date=2012-03-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317174304/http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/epaper/article/index.php?page=article&choice=print_article&location=24&category=&articleid=6242779130240 |archive-date=17 March 2013}}

=Janata Dal (United)=

In November 2011, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also extended his support for the statehood of Mithila.{{cite web |url=http://post.jagran.com/Broader-view-on-state-restructuring-1322837705 |title=article |publisher=Post.jagran.com |access-date=4 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115072518/http://post.jagran.com/broader-view-on-state-restructuring-1322837705 |archive-date=15 January 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://jagraneditorial.jagranjunction.com/2011/11/22/uttar-pradesh-assembly-chief-minister-mayawati-divide-the-state-into-four-parts |title=राज्य पुनर्गठन : व्यापक हो नजरिया « संपादकीय ब्लॉग |publisher=Jagraneditorial.jagranjunction.com |access-date=4 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225063424/http://jagraneditorial.jagranjunction.com/2011/11/22/uttar-pradesh-assembly-chief-minister-mayawati-divide-the-state-into-four-parts/ |archive-date=25 December 2011}}
Shravan Chaudhary, JDU state president, has openly supported the demand for the statehood of Mithila.{{cite web|url=http://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2720084.cms |title=जेडी(यू) ने पृथक मिथिला राज्य की मांग का समर्थन किया- Navbharat Times |work=Navbharat Times |date=22 January 2008 |access-date=4 May 2012}}

=Rashtriya Janata Dal=

Rabri Devi, former CM of Bihar, has always favoured the creation of a separate Mithila state.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/give-statehood-to-mithila-rabri/articleshow/65108987.cms |title=Archived copy |website=The Times of India |access-date=2012-03-10}}

Justification for Separation

The demand for separate Mithila state has been there since creation of State of Bihar in 1912.{{cite news |title=Demand for Mithilanchal: Why carving out a new state from Bihar may backfire |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/demand-for-mithilanchal-why-carving-out-a-new-state-from-bihar-may-backfire-1991442-2022-08-23 |agency=India Today}}

The problems of Mithila region are different from rest of Bihar.{{Clarification needed|date=March 2025}}
Maithili the language of the region has not been properly recognised. The 8th schedule of the Constitution of India includes the recognition of the 22 languages including Maithili (but in Devanagari Script). In Bihar Maithili is yet receive any official status.{{cite web |title=Who are those demanding a separate Mithila state from Bihar? |date=5 July 2022 |url=https://groundreport.in/who-are-those-demanding-a-separate-mithila-state-from-bihar/ |access-date=2 September 2022}}
Negligence of Maithil identity in the state of Bihar.{{Cite web |title=मिथिला की उपेक्षा निंदनीय - |url=https://www.jagran.com/bihar/darbhanga-8483874.html |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Jagran |language=hi}}

Challenges

Mithila is a poor and flood-prone region dependent on subsistence agriculture, leading to doubts over its economically feasibility as a separate state.{{cite news |title=Demand for Mithilanchal: Why carving out a new state from Bihar may backfire |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/demand-for-mithilanchal-why-carving-out-a-new-state-from-bihar-may-backfire-1991442-2022-08-23 |work=India Today |date=23 August 2022 |author=Darpan Singh }}