Paromita Das
New Delhi, 8th September: In Bihar, where caste arithmetic has long dictated the script of politics, controversies are never far away. As the state prepares for crucial assembly elections, former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav has ignited a storm with his disparaging remark against Tejashwi Yadav’s wife, dragging personal lives into the already volatile battlefield of public discourse. Referring to Rajshree Yadav as a “jersey cattle,” the ex-legislator not only courted controversy but also exposed the enduring weaponization of caste and family matters in Bihar’s electoral arena.
Tejashwi Yadav’s Marriage Becomes Political Ammunition
Tejashwi Yadav, the de facto leader of the RJD and heir to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s political legacy, tied the knot in 2021 with Rachel Codinho, his former schoolmate from Delhi’s DPS RK Puram, who later adopted the name Rajshree Yadav after marriage. Hailing from Haryana, Rajshree has consciously stayed away from politics, focusing instead on family life with Tejashwi and their two young children.
Yet, Raj Ballabh Yadav used this personal chapter to make a scathing caste-loaded comment: “Caste is used only for votes. When it came to marriage, where did the marriage take place? What was the need to get the marriage done in Haryana and Punjab? Tejashwi seeks the votes of Yadavs of Bihar, but he did not deem a girl from the community fit to become his wife. Perhaps he was looking for a jersey cattle.”
The remark, now viral on social media, has become fodder for political mudslinging.
Backlash on the Ground
The RJD was quick to go on the offensive. In Nawada, party women’s wing workers, led by district president Renu Singh, burned Raj Ballabh Yadav’s effigy, denouncing his words as shameful and misogynistic. Singh accused the former MLA of borrowing the politics of insult from the BJP-RSS playbook and demanded that he be punished legally and politically.
Meanwhile, senior RJD leader Kushal Yadav condemned the insult as an attack not just on Tejashwi’s family but on the sentiments of backward and Dalit communities at large. “Lalu Prasad Yadav is one of the top leaders of the backward and Dalits. Making such derogatory comments against his daughter-in-law hurts the entire society. The community is heartbroken,” he said.
The sharp reactions reveal how personal remarks quickly morph into collective political grievances in Bihar, where family honor and community pride are deeply intertwined.
A Rift Within the RJD?
This controversy also brings to light Raj Ballabh Yadav’s uneasy ties with the RJD leadership. Once close to Lalu Prasad, he grew disillusioned after his brother, Binod Yadav, was denied a ticket during last year’s Lok Sabha elections. His latest remark is widely interpreted as an outburst against Tejashwi and the family’s grip over party decisions.
While the RJD has distanced itself from his statement, the fact that such a comment comes from a former insider shows the cracks within the party and how discontented voices may seek to destabilize Tejashwi at a sensitive political juncture.
Caste, Politics, and the Slippery Slope of Personal Attacks
The remark underscores how caste remains both a rallying cry and a weapon in Bihar’s politics. While Tejashwi has tried to position himself as a modern leader appealing to aspirations beyond caste, rivals continue to drag him back into the old narrative. Raj Ballabh’s jibe is not just a personal insult; it is a deliberate attempt to question Tejashwi’s credibility as a leader of the Yadav community by pointing to his “choice” of spouse.
However, such politics of personal vilification is a double-edged sword. In a state where voters are weary of toxic mudslinging, the backlash may harm the accuser more than the accused.
Politics Hits a New Low
The use of the term “jersey cattle” in reference to a political leader’s wife sets a disturbing precedent. Bihar’s politics has always been rough and tumble, but dragging private lives into the electoral narrative not only demeans women but also distracts from substantive issues such as jobs, governance, and development.
Tejashwi’s wife Rajshree Yadav, who has stayed away from the political spotlight, did not deserve to be thrust into this controversy. Targeting her reflects the bankruptcy of ideas among leaders who can no longer connect with voters on meaningful issues.
Bihar Deserves Better Politics
As Bihar heads toward elections, the latest row is a reminder of how personal attacks and caste equations dominate over constructive debate. Raj Ballabh Yadav’s remark may have created a temporary storm, but in the long run, such controversies only erode the credibility of those who indulge in them.
For Tejashwi Yadav, the controversy may ironically serve as a moment of sympathy and solidarity, portraying him as a victim of crude, outdated politics. For Bihar’s voters, though, it is another example of why the state’s political discourse needs a reset—away from insults and casteist rhetoric, and toward real issues of governance and progress.
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