Chandrashekhar Prasad Murder Case: The day was 31 March 1997. A road in Bihar’s Siwan was stained with blood that day because former JNU student leader and CPI (ML) activist Chandrashekhar Prasad alias Chandu was murdered in broad daylight. This was not just a murder, but the ruthless face of the dark nexus of crime and politics.
Siwan’s J.P. The flurry of bullets at the Chowk not only silenced Chandu’s voice forever, but also fanned the fire of the student movement across the country. This massacre, which took place under the shadow of powerful leaders, had become a dark chapter in the violent politics of Bihar. ,crime ‘Katha’ presents such a story of power, crime and sacrifice, which will be remembered in the history of Bihar for centuries.
Who was Chandrashekhar Prasad alias Chandu?
Chandrashekhar Prasad was born on 20 September 1964 Bihar Was born in an ordinary family of Siwan district. People lovingly called him Chandu. His father Jeevan Singh died when he was eight years old. Which made his life challenging. After studying at Sainik School, Tilaiya, he was selected in the National Defense Academy (NDA). But he was not interested in military service. His real destination was social justice and public service. Studying at Patna University and then JNU gave wings to his revolutionary ideas. He once said, “My ambition is to live like Bhagat Singh and die like Che Guevara.”
Rising star of JNU
In Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Chandrashekhar made his mark as the president of the student union. His eloquence, deep understanding of social issues and fearlessness made him a favorite of students. He joined CPI (ML) Liberation and raised his voice against the feudal system, poverty and exploitation. Many movements took place under his leadership in JNU, which challenged the violent politics of Bihar. His popularity made the feudal forces of Siwan uneasy. Chandu’s name soon started echoing in the streets of Siwan.
Siwan: bastion of crime and politics
In the 1990s, Siwan was a district of Bihar where the nexus of crime and politics was openly flourishing. In the then Janata Dal (later RJD) government, leaders like Mohammad Shahabuddin used to misuse their power in Siwan. Attacks and killings on CPI (ML) workers were common. More than 70 CPI (ML) workers were murdered between 1990 and 1996. Chandrashekhar openly raised his voice against this violence, which made him the target of influential leaders like Shahabuddin.
Chandrashekhar’s return to Siwan
After his stint at JNU, Chandrashekhar decided to return to Siwan as a full-time CPI (ML) worker. This decision was not easy, because feudal and criminal forces were waging a violent campaign against CPI (ML) in Siwan. Chandrashekhar started meetings in the streets of Siwan for the rights of the poor, laborers and Dalits. His outspokenness and connection with the public made him popular among the local people. But this popularity became the enemy of his life.
J.P. was echoed by the sound of bullets. Chowk
The day of 31 March 1997 is recorded in black letters in the history of Siwan. That day, a street meeting was being held at JP Chowk in support of the CPI (ML) strike. Chandrashekhar was addressing that meeting. Suddenly some motorcycle riding attackers reached there and started firing. There was chaos everywhere. People started running here and there. Chandrashekhar was the target of the attackers. In this attack, the attackers targeted them and opened fire.
In this attack, Chandrashekhar and his associate Shyam Narayan Yadav and a passerby Bhuteli Mian were shot with bullets. There was panic in the entire market. This massacre took place in broad daylight, which painted the streets of Siwan with blood. Chandrashekhar and his friend Shyam were lying there in a blood soaked condition on the stage. Their bodies were becoming cold. Blood was spreading everywhere. The attackers had fled. This incident had stunned the entire country.
Shahabuddin was accused of murder
The matter was also politically high profile, hence the police started investigating the matter quickly. CPI (ML) had held the then RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin responsible for this massacre. For this reason, names of six people including Shahabuddin were registered in the FIR.
In fact, Chandrashekhar’s increasing popularity and his outspoken voice against the feudal forces was becoming a threat to Shahabuddin. It is said that this massacre was carried out on the instructions of strongman Shahabuddin. However, CBI later kept Shahabuddin out of the charge sheet due to lack of evidence, which raised many questions.
CBI investigation came into controversy
Seeing the growing uproar over the Chandrashekhar Prasad murder case, the investigation of this case was handed over to the CBI, but the investigation process remained surrounded by controversies. The CBI did not present any concrete evidence against Shahabuddin in the special court, which was considered biased by CPI(ML) and Chandrashekhar supporters. There were also complaints of pressure on witnesses and disappearance of evidence. This investigation had also exposed the deep roots of the nexus of crime and politics in Bihar. However, many people believed that the investigation was influenced by pressure from power.
Court’s decision and incomplete justice
Even after a few months had passed since this massacre, the ruckus and agitation of the students had not slowed down. But after a long legal battle, in 2012, the lower court sentenced four accused related to this murder, Dhruv Prasad Jaiswal, Ilyas Waris, Sheikh Munna and Rustam Khan, to life imprisonment. In the year 2019, Patna High Court also upheld this punishment. But Shahabuddin’s name being left out of the investigation as the main conspirator remained in the news. For Chandrashekhar’s supporters, this decision was incomplete justice, because according to them the real culprit was not punished.
nationwide student movement
The murder of Chandrashekhar Prasad had created a wave of anger among students across the country. Thousands of students took to the streets in Delhi, Patna, Lucknow and other cities. Chandrashekhar’s colleagues in JNU had described this massacre as a symbol of the violent politics of Bihar. The protest at Bihar Bhawan in Delhi attracted national attention. These demonstrations immortalized Chandrashekhar’s ideas and his sacrifice.
Violent confrontation during demonstration
The situation had become tense during the demonstration at Bihar Bhawan in Delhi. The students accused the Bihar government of involvement in the massacre. During this time, Sadhu Yadav, brother-in-law of the then Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, was attacked, for which a separate case was registered. This demonstration had put the Bihar government in the dock and made Chandrashekhar’s murder a national issue.
Chandrashekhar Prasad’s legacy
The assassination immortalized Chandrashekhar as a martyr. His ideology and struggle for social justice inspires the youth even today. Events are organized every year in his memory in JNU, and his statue in Siwan is a center of inspiration for the people. CPI(ML) made his sacrifice a part of its fight. Chandrashekhar’s story became a symbol of the demand for change in Bihar.
The party had gained new strength
Chandrashekhar Prasad’s murder exposed the nexus of crime and politics in Bihar. The dominance and open violence of powerful leaders like Mohammad Shahabuddin was the bitter reality of that era. This massacre sparked anger against the system not only in Siwan, but in entire Bihar. After this, CPI (ML) Liberation made Chandrashekhar’s murder a symbol of its fight against feudal and criminal forces. The party increased its activism in Siwan and campaigned against leaders like Shahabuddin. Chandrashekhar’s sacrifice became a source of new energy for the party. His murder further strengthened the organization in the fight for the rights of the poor and the exploited.
Chandu’s memories are still alive in Siwan
Chandrashekhar Prasad is still discussed in Siwan district of Bihar. His memories are alive. After his murder the people there became aware against political violence and crime. Although the crime-politics nexus did not end completely, young leaders like Chandrashekhar awakened the consciousness of change among the public. From JNU to Siwan, his story is an immortal tale of courage and sacrifice against injustice.
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