'Katta' Politics: What Does It Mean In PM Modi's Bihar Speeches? | Explained

Last Updated:November 03, 2025, 18:35 IST

Frequent use of the term ‘katta’ in Bihar’s election discourse has sparked curiosity among younger voters about its origins and how this homemade weapon became so widespread

At his Muzaffarpur rally on October 30, PM Modi said ‘katta’, cruelty, misrule and corruption were the hallmarks of ‘jungle raj’. (News18 Hindi)

As the Bihar 2025 elections draw closer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have made the term ‘katta’ a central talking point. PM Modi has repeatedly used the word in his rallies to target Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD, urging voters to reject the RJD–Congress–Left alliance and accusing them of relying on intimidation symbolised by ‘katta’.

‘Katta’ Becomes A Theme In PM Modi’s Speeches

During his Muzaffarpur rally on October 30, PM Modi claimed that ‘katta‘, cruelty, bitterness, misrule, and corruption are the hallmarks of ‘jungle raj‘, which he associates with RJD. He reiterated in his Ara rally on November 2 that RJD forced Congress to announce their chief minister candidate at gunpoint.

The BJP’s social media campaigns also continually reference ‘katta‘ when discussing the governments led by Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi.

The frequent use of the term ‘katta‘ in the Bihar election discourse has sparked curiosity among younger generations about its origins and why this homemade weapon has become so prevalent in society.

How Millennials And Gen Z Saw Guns On Screen

Millennials and Gen Z primarily learned about ‘katta‘ from movies and web series. Films like ‘Gangs of Wasseypur‘ starring Manoj Bajpayee and web series like ‘Mirzapur‘ with Pankaj Tripathi have popularised the ‘katta‘ among the youth. Various crime-based web series set in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand also prominently feature ‘katta‘.

The song ‘Thok Denge Katta Kapar Mein Aaiye Na Hamre Bihar Mein‘ from the web series ‘Khakee: The Bihar Chapter‘, inspired by the life of strongman Ashok Mahto, has made the word ‘katta‘ popular on caller tunes and social media reels.

How The Pistol Reached Society From Munger

In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, criminals often start their journey with a ‘katta‘. This weapon is particularly common in these states, with the historic city of Munger in Bihar being its birthplace. Munger has been linked to weapon manufacturing since before the British era. When the British arrived in India, they brought guns, rifles, and revolvers, whereas most Indians had traditional weapons like spears, swords, and bows. To combat the British, Mir Qasim commissioned craftsmen to create the first ‘katta‘.

Over time, Munger’s gun factories modernised and today produce the latest five-shot pump-action guns. Former government factory craftsmen now illegally manufacture weapons not only in Munger but also in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and other regions.

Generations of craftsmen in Munger have been involved in weapon production. At one point, ‘katta’ or homemade guns could be bought at the Munger fair for just one rupee. According to the gazetteers of Bihar and Odisha, before the 19th century, Munger had five arms shops selling local weapons for Rs 10 to Rs 50.

After Munger’s Gun Factory Shut, Illegal Pistols Emerged

After the closure of gun factories in Munger, illegal ‘kattas‘ began to be produced. Munger once had 64 gun-making units, producing 2,000 guns daily with 1,500 craftsmen. Initially, wealthy individuals, kings, and landlords bought these guns to maintain their power. Later, politicians and those involved in politics increased the demand for weapons.

In the 1970s and 80s, with the closure of factories, craftsmen became unemployed and resorted to illegally making and selling weapons to survive. This led to the establishment of illegal gun-making workshops in Munger. Politics in Bihar evolved with new leaders emerging from student movements, challenging the established ones.

Nalanda Also A Major Hub For Gun Making

Caste-based groups were emerging and branding themselves as different “armies." Communism had a strong presence as well. It was a period when everyone was striving to rise, fueling intense competition for power. As a result, Munger, where guns were scarcely seen before the 1970s, began to change rapidly.

Earlier, illegal pistol-making was mostly confined to pockets of western Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. But once workers from the Munger gun factory lost their jobs, many turned to crafting and selling country-made pistols. They soon found a ready market among those seeking influence and muscle power.

Demand For Guns Spikes During Elections

A survey by the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex indicates that strongman leaders in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar use illegal weapons to demonstrate their influence. During elections, displaying a ‘katta‘ or homemade gun became a trend among politically connected individuals.

Consequently, young men working for politicians started using ‘kattas’ for robbery, earning money, committing murders, forming gangs, and eventually becoming strongmen and leaders themselves.

There was a time when illegal pistols found nationwide were usually made in Munger. Following Munger, Nalanda district in Bihar also became a significant centre for illegal gun-making, although the quality does not match Munger’s.

Munger is notorious for individuals like Raunak Bibi, known as the ‘katta queen‘, who ran illegal gun factories and smuggled homemade guns. She was imprisoned for these activities but later released. Raunak Bibi is married to infamous smuggler Shamsher from Munger.

Katta-Making Operations Run Out Of Rented Houses

The ‘katta‘ business often operates out of rented houses. Bihar police attempt to curb the illegal gun trade, but smugglers frequently relocate to evade capture. They rent rooms in small towns for several months, set up machinery, and assemble guns. By the time police discover them, they have already moved.

Smugglers bring craftsmen from districts such as Munger, Nalanda, Morena, and Bhind, housing them in rented properties. They source gun parts like springs, butts, and barrels from various locations to avoid detection.

The ‘katta‘ business has expanded significantly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with even village blacksmiths capable of making them. ‘Kattas‘ and homemade guns are dangerous due to their poor-quality materials, like truck steering parts, which can cause accidents during firing.

Nevertheless, they are widely used because they are cheap and easily obtainable. In the 1990s, crime rates in Bihar were high, which is why PM Modi and the BJP use the term ‘katta‘ to reference that era.

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