Kishanganj: Bihar's 'Mini Iran' Community Faces Voter Eligibility Scrutiny
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News18•11-03-2026, 15:53
Kishanganj: Bihar's 'Mini Iran' Community Faces Voter Eligibility Scrutiny
•Kishanganj, Bihar, is home to a unique Iranian community, often called 'Little Iran', with roots in Persia.
•Predominantly Shia Muslims residing in Motibagh Karbala, they identify as Indian while preserving Persian heritage.
•Arrived in Kishanganj from Purnia in the early 1980s, initially nomadic horse traders, now dealing in gemstones.
•They speak a Persian dialect mixed with Hindi and Urdu, maintaining distinct cultural traditions and a unique Bihari-Persian cuisine.
•Recently, ~30 community members received notices to prove voter eligibility before Bihar Assembly elections, despite long-standing voter registration.