Bihar to celebrate Ashok birth anniv as state function, brand him as OBC king

Bihar government has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Emperor Ashok, who ruled from Patliputra (modern Patna), as state function every year on Chatra Shukla asthami day (8th day of Hindu calender of Chaitra), according to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The decision was approved by the state cabinet and the Ashoka Convention Centre near Gandhi Maidan will be the main venue. Functions will be held at all district headquarters.

According to Nitish Kumar, though there was no authentic birth day recorded, still according to the historians, he was born a day before Ram Navami, birthday of Ram. BJP and JDU celebrated his birth anniversary in Patna separately. Nitish Kumar attended the event organised by JDU a day after BJP's programme, which was attended by union ministers and senior BJP leaders.

There is an attempt by JDU and BJP to appropriate Ashok as the OBC icon and brand him the King of Kushwaha origin.

Kushwahas constitute 8% of the electorate in Bihar. Also, a campaign has been launched to brand Gautam Budha as Kurmi king.

However, historians and scholars have disputed the claims of Ashok as Kushwaha and Budha as Kurmi kings. They claim both were Kshatriyas. Prof Jayadeva Mishra, former head of department of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology department of Patna University, on Wednesday told Free Press Journal,' "There is no documentary evidence to suggest Ashok was a Kushwaha. He was the third generation ruler from Maurya dynasty and had succeeded Bindusar, son of Chandrabuopta Maurya.”