Why Land Reforms Remained an Unfinished Task in Bihar

Abstract

Land is not only the source of livelihood, subsistence and survival but it is also a precondition for a just, democratic and socially, politically and economically inclusive society. It is very much associated with the citizenship rights which give a sense of belongingness, equality, and freedom. It is also important to address the question of massive inequality, poverty, hunger and exclusion from every sphere of life. Proper food and homestead are also fundamental to our life as it falls within the realm of natural rights. These are the very first things which a living being needs. Not only the human being, even animals require secure shelter and food for their survival. Yet, we have today a situation in the country where a large number of people do not have access to proper food and shelter. Because right over the land is the source of these fundamental requirements, every human being should have the freedom and ability to obtain it. These natural rights needs to be articulated as legal and human rights in order to force the society and the state to recognize these basic needs for a just, democratic and dignified human existence in the society and also to obligate the state to make provisions. This paper seeks to analyze that how the political parties delayed and diluted the process of land reforms.