The "Triveni Sangh" was a caste coalition cum political party established in Shahabad district of Bihar in pre-independence India to voice the political solidarity of "middle peasant castes" as well as to carve a space in democratic politics for the lower castes.[1]The date of formation of the Triveni Sangh has been variously stated. Some sources have said it was the 1920s but Kumar notes recently discovered documentation that makes 1933 more likely,[2] whilst Christophe Jaffrelot has said 1934.[3]The leaders associated with the formation of this front were Yadunandan Prasad Mehta, Shivpujan Singh and Jagdev Singh Yadav.[4]
The Triveni Sangh was formed in 1934 by the members of three intermediate castes of Bihar, namely Yadavs, Koeri, and Kurmi.Its nomenclature was derived from the confluence of three mighty rivers viz. the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Allahabad. The Sangh claimed of having at least one million dues paying members.Its formation was countered by the formation of Indian National Congress's backward class federation, which was established at the same time. [3]
The party took part in 1937 elections and suffered badly but it managed to win at places like 'Arrah' and 'Piro' in Shahabad district.As a result of this, upper castes reacted violently.In the meantime the party was also affected due to double edged confrontation emerging out of the disunity between the three allied castes and superior organisational structure of Congress. According to political analysts, the superiority complex in Yadavs vis a vis Kurmi and Koeris lead to the decline of the organisation which could claim of being the first political set-up of backward castes in Bihar. [3]
The formation of organization has the root emerging from Lakhochak riot(1925).In this village of Munger district, a caste council meeting of Yadavs was seen by local Bhumihar landlords as a challange to their social and ritual position, who were wary of sanskritizing trend observed in ritually unpure caste.[2]
In the second conference of Sangh held at Ekwaari village, it poised to fight for the cause of Kisan(peasants), Mazdoor(labourers) and small traders.It also protested against social oppressions, specially the rapes of lower caste women by upper caste landlords.In many districts of Bihar it became a symbol of rising political ambition of backward castes.[2]
In 1927 and 1933 district board elections it placed its candidates against "upper castes" but was not much successful.Its charm after independence faded but it made it clear that dominance of upper caste would not remain forever.[2]