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.