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Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Family in Bhind face boycott for inviting Brahmins to ritual feast
Bhopal: Members of a family belonging to the Yadav community are facing a boycott in Bhind district after inviting Brahmins to perform rituals during a "Thrayodashi" feast. The boycott comes in response to a recent incident in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, where a Yadav storyteller was allegedly assaulted after it was found during a Bhagwat Katha that he was not a Brahmin. On June 21 in Etawah, the storyteller was beaten, had his hair and eyebrows shaved, and was humiliated by being forced to rub his nose on a woman's feet. A Brahmin was then called to continue the Katha, and videos of the incident went viral, sparking outrage among Yadavs in other states. In Bhind, a panchayat of the Yadav community had decided to boycott any family that involved Brahmins in religious rituals. Despite this, Kamal Yadav of Mau town organized a program on July 16 for his late mother and invited 13 Brahmins for feast. The community panchayat, held on July 13, had declared such actions unacceptable. Kamal Yadav said he was not informed of the panchayat's decision and had already made arrangements. "I've always followed family traditions. No one told me in time," he told the media. Other family members said that a few locals boycotted the event, but many from the area still attended. Panchayat member and former Nagar Palika president Rajendra Prasad Yadav said the decision was taken after repeated disrespect toward Yadav storytellers. "The community had made its position clear. Kamal ignored it, so the boycott was enforced," he told the media.
India Gazette
15-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Haryana CM Saini pays tribute to Swami Kalyandev Maharaj on his 21st death anniversary
Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 15 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has paid tribute to Swami Kalyandev Maharaj Ji on his 21st death anniversary at his Samadhi located in Shukdev Ashram, Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also unveiled a statue of Swami Kalyandev Ji Maharaj. Addressing the gathering of devotees on Monday, CM Nayab Singh Saini said, 'Today we have assembled on the sacred land of Maharishi Shukdev, situated on the holy banks of Maa Ganga. Bhagwat Peeth Shri Shukdev Ashram holds a special place in our hearts. This ashram is not only a spiritual center but also a symbol of education, service, and culture. The statue of Swami Ji will serve as a lasting inspiration, reminding future generations of his noble deeds, principles, and ideals.' CM Saini said that Swami Omanand Ji Maharaj is carrying forward the rich tradition of this ashram and, by following the path shown by Maharishi Shukdev Ji, is engaged in selfless social service with a spirit of devotion. Under Swami Ji's guidance, the ashram has made remarkable contributions in the fields of education, healthcare, and rural development. He further said that it was on this very land, thousands of years ago, that Maharishi Shukdev Ji Maharaj guided King Parikshit towards salvation by narrating the sacred Bhagwat Katha. 'Saint Kalyandev Maharaj dedicated his entire life to upholding and preserving the sanctity of this great pilgrimage site,' CM Saini said. Although born into a humble family, Swami Kalyandev Ji Maharaj's thoughts and actions were extraordinary. He renounced worldly attachments at an early age and embraced a life of spiritual pursuit. This sacred land is the Tapobhoomi (land of penance) of a great saint, visionary educator, and social reformer. The Chief Minister stated that Swami Kalyan Dev Ji dedicated his 129-year-long life to the pursuit of knowledge, education, and selfless social service, which he regarded as his true religion. This revered saint attained samadhi in the year 2004. 'Throughout his life, he established numerous schools, colleges, and Gurukuls to promote education. In addition to his contributions to education, Swami Ji actively opposed untouchability, caste discrimination, and other social evils, spreading a powerful message of love, equality, and brotherhood. In recognition of his exceptional and selfless service to society, the Government of India honoured Swami Kalyandev Ji Maharaj with the Padma Shri in 1982 and the Padma Bhushan in 2000,' he said. The Haryana CM said that the Swami Kalyan Dev Seva Trust has been established within the ashram to carry forward the legacy of service and compassion. 'Through various welfare initiatives, the trust extends support to the poor, the sick, and the underprivileged. It is actively engaged in the fields of education, healthcare, and social upliftment,' Nayab Saini said. CM Saini urged everyone to take a pledge to contribute towards building the India envisioned by Swami Ji. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released an Odia book on Shukdev Tirtha. He also announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh for the construction of Haryana Bhawan at Shukdev Tirtha. On this occasion, Swami Omanand Ji Maharaj, in his address, praised the humble nature and compassionate approach of CM Saini. He said, 'The Chief Minister shares a long-standing association with Shukdev Ashram. Swami Ji reflected on India's rich saintly tradition, stating that saints have played a pivotal role not only in awakening spiritual consciousness but also in advancing education, healthcare, and social upliftment across the country.' He said that the life of CM Saini is a reflection of strong moral values and unwavering dedication to public service. Citing the inspiring lives of Lord Buddha and Swami Vivekananda Ji, Swami Omanand emphasised that their devotion to the service of humanity should serve as a guiding light for all of us. He urged everyone to draw inspiration from their ideals and incorporate their values into daily life. On this occasion, Haryana Cabinet Minister Dr Arvind Sharma, Chairman of Shukdev Ashram Trust and former Health Minister ML Ranga, Rajya Sabha MP Ramchandra Jangra, MLA Mithilesh, along with the officials of the trust of the ashram, leaders and devotees from different places of the country were also present. (ANI)
NDTV
30-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"There Are Kathavachaks Who Charge Rs 50 Lakh": Akhilesh Yadav Jabs Dhirendra Shastri
Lucknow: Amid an ongoing controversy over the assault on a non-Brahmin ' kathavachak ' (religious storyteller) in Uttar Pradesh's Etawah, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday took a jibe at religious leader Acharya Dhirendra Shastri and said there are many storytellers who charge Rs 50 lakh. "Many kathavachaks charge Rs 50 lakh for an event. Can anyone afford Dhirendra Shastri for a katha (religious ceremony) at their residence? He takes the money under the table," he told reporters in Hindi. Mr Yadav said he doesn't know how much Mr Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, charges for storytelling, but claimed "it is not free". There was no immediate response from Mr Shastri. 'Kathavachak' Row In UP Akhilesh Yadav's charge comes days after two Bhagwat Katha preachers, Mukut Mani Yadav, and his aide, Sant Singh Yadav, were allegedly tonsured and humiliated in a village in Etawah. The incident on June 22 allegedly took place when it was found that they belonged to the Yadav caste. The incident triggered widespread protests in the village and led to the arrest of four accused -- Ashish Tiwari, Uttam Kumar Awasthi, Nikki Awasthi and Manu Dubey -- all residents of the village. Akhilesh Yadav, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, had shared a video of the incident, which showed the accused purportedly saying, "You are getting punished for coming to the village of Brahmins." He has attacked the ruling BJP over the alleged assault and said the incident was part of a larger conspiracy to divide Uttar Pradesh along caste lines by bringing in "planted elements" from neighbouring states.
News18
30-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Many Kathavachaks Charge Rs 50 Lakh': Akhilesh Yadav Takes Jibe At Dhirendra Shastri
Last Updated: Akhilesh Yadav criticized Dhirendra Shastri amid controversy over the assault on non-Brahmin preachers in Etawah, claiming many kathavachaks charge Rs 50 lakh for events. Following the ongoing controversy over the assault on a non-Brahmin 'kathavachak' (religious storyteller) in Uttar Pradesh's Etawah, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday took a jibe at religious leader Acharya Dhirendra Shastri, saying that there are many storytellers who charge Rs 50 lakh. The SP Chief said he doesn't know how much Dhirendra Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Baba, charges for storytelling, but claimed 'it is not free". 'Many kathavachaks charge Rs 50 lakh for an event. Can anyone afford Dhirendra Shastri for a katha (religious ceremony) at their residence? He takes the money under the table," Yadav told reporters in Hindi. However, there was no immediate response from Dhirendra Shastri. This comes days after two Bhagwat Katha preachers identified as Mukut Mani Yadav and his aide, Sant Singh Yadav, were allegedly tonsured and humiliated in a village in Etawah. The June 22 incident allegedly took place after it was found that the preachers belonged to the Yadav caste. The incident caused widespread protests in the village, leading to the arrest of four accused — Ashish Tiwari, Uttam Kumar Awasthi, Nikki Awasthi and Manu Dubey — all residents of the village. Attacking the ruling BJP over the alleged assault, Yadav said that the incident was part of a larger conspiracy to divide Uttar Pradesh along caste lines by bringing in 'planted elements" from neighbouring states. First Published: June 30, 2025, 11:59 IST
News18
27-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Etawah Tonsuring Row: Stone Pelting On Cops, 19 Detained; Akhilesh Blames BJP For Tensions
Last Updated: Bhagwat Katha preachers alleged that they were asked about their caste and humiliated allegedly by men belonging to "upper caste" in UP's Etawah. Tensions escalated in Dandarpur village of Uttar Pradesh's Etawah after members of the Yadav groups on Thursday protested against the alleged caste-based tonsuring of a Bhagwat Katha preacher and his aide, demanding the arrest of all accused. The police said that the large crowds gathered near the Agra-Kanpur highway and at the village in the Bakewar area. Unidentified individuals pelted stones at police personnel despite the cops brandishing firearms in the air to warn the protesters. The incident that triggered protests took place on the night of June 22-23 in the village, where two Bhagwat Katha preachers, Mukut Mani Yadav and his aide Sant Singh Yadav, were allegedly tonsured and insulted by people belonging to 'upper-caste" after they found that the preachers were from the Yadav caste. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday slammed the BJP over the incident, describing it as a larger conspiracy to divide the state along caste lines by bringing in 'planted elements" from neighbouring states. 'The BJP is deploying its 'planted people' with strategic surnames from neighbouring states to carry out its infiltrative politics and disturb social harmony in Uttar Pradesh. But the people of Uttar Pradesh are aware of the truth. Society here will not be divided by the actions of a few negative elements -� it will emerge even stronger," Akhilesh said on X. UP Minister Jaiveer Singh accused Akhilesh of giving the incident a 'casteist spin" and blamed him for stoking violence. According to Etawah Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, as the police received information about protests by the groups, they had deployed forces in the town, on the highway and in the village to ensure law and order. 'Around 1:30 pm, a sizeable crowd started gathering on the Agra-Kanpur highway. While most were convinced to disperse, a few tried to enter Dandarpur village forcibly, which created a situation that could have disrupted peace," he said. The SSP said that 19 people were detained and 13 vehicles were seized, adding that the situation is now normal. Earlier in the day, hundreds of people from Yadav groups went to the Bakewar police station to surround it in protest. They were angry about the police allegedly acting against the victims instead of the accused and were demanding the arrest of those responsible. SP (Rural) Sreesh Chandra told reporters that police tried to stop the crowd, but an argument broke out. When the protesters kept moving forward, the police used lathis (sticks) to push them back. In response, some people in the crowd threw stones at the police, and a police jeep's windshield was damaged. Some protesters then ran towards the Agra-Kanpur highway. इटावा के बकेवर इलाके के दान्दरपुर गांव में भागवत कथा के दौरान कथावाचक और उनके सहायकों की जाति पूछने पर पीडीए की एक जाति बताने पर, कुछ वर्चस्ववादी और प्रभुत्ववादी लोगों ने साथ अभद्र व्यवहार करते हुए उनके बाल कटवाए, नाक रगड़वाई और इलाके की शुद्धि कराई।हमारा संविधान जातिगत भेदभाव… — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) June 23, 2025 Akhilesh Yadav had shared a video of the alleged incident with the preachers, in which the accused purportedly said, 'You are getting punished for coming to the village of Brahmins." The victims alleged that they were first asked about their caste and forced to show identification, and then humiliated. 'I was tortured all night. My head was shaved, and they sprinkled urine on me, saying it was to purify me," Sant Singh Yadav said. After the video surfaced online, the police arrested four accused identified as Ashish Tiwari, Uttam Kumar Awasthi, Nikki Awasthi, and Manu Dubey. Location : Etawah, India, India First Published: June 27, 2025, 18:48 IST News politics Etawah Tonsuring Row: Stone Pelting On Cops, 19 Detained; Akhilesh Blames BJP For Tensions
