Latest news with #Yadavs
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP eyes Yadav support as political strategy shifts
Patna: The state BJP on Friday signalled a clear intention to widen its outreach among Yadav voters — traditionally the core base of Lalu Prasad's RJD — while continuing to consolidate its longstanding support among the upper-caste Bhumihar community. This comes amid an increasingly competitive political environment in the state with the Congress also working to regain influence. State BJP president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal made a strategic move by inducting RJD leader Ajeet Kumar Yadav from Jehanabad, along with his supporters, into the party at a function held at the BJP headquarters in Patna. Later that day, addressing an event organised by the Education Research and Development Foundation at the Bihar Industries Association hall to commemorate the 75th death anniversary of Sahajanand Saraswati, Jaiswal said, "The thoughts of Sahajanand Saraswati are more relevant in the present times. " He added, "Whether it is the central government under PM Narendra Modi or the state govt led by CM Nitish Kumar, both are advancing based on his ideas. The govt is working for the benefit of farmers." Jaiswal cited Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, who referred to Saraswati as a messiah for the oppressed, and American historian Walter Hauser, who studied his contributions. Present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Rajya Sabha MP Bhim Praising Ajeet Kumar Yadav's popularity in the Magadh and Shahabad regions, Jaiswal said, "It is a matter of immense joy that he has quit the RJD and joined the BJP. This will create a new atmosphere in our favour." Without naming Lalu Prasad, Jaiswal added, "Today, nationally, the BJP has the maximum number of Yadav caste MLAs and MPs, yet some people continue to claim that the Yadavs are only with them."
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Katha To Caste Conflict: Brahmin Vs Yadav Turns Into Political Battle In UP's Etawah
Last Updated: What began as a religious discourse and humiliation of a Yadav narrator in a Brahmin-majority village led to mass protests, clashes with police, and a sharp political response 'First they asked about my caste. When I said I was a Yadav, they accused me of being a Dalit. Then they beat me, chopped off my hair, and shaved my head," recalled Bhagwat Katha narrator Mukut Mani Yadav, trembling after what he says was a brutal caste-based attack in Dadarapur village of Etawah. What began as a religious discourse and public humiliation of a Yadav narrator in a Brahmin-majority village has triggered a fierce backlash, leading to mass protests, violent clashes with police, and a sharp political response—sparking a fierce Brahmin vs Yadav confrontation in the heart of Uttar Pradesh. The incident took place on June 22 during a Bhagwat Katha organised at the residence of Jai Prakash Tiwari in Dadarapur village, about 35 km from Etawah town. Narrator Mukut Mani Yadav, who was invited by local priest Ram Swaroop Das, alleged that he was first asked his caste by locals. Upon learning he was a Yadav, a group of villagers allegedly assaulted him, shaved his head, and vandalized his musical instruments. A video that went viral shows the narrator's hair being cut off by youths amid loud jeers. His associate's head was also forcibly shaved. According to Mukut Mani, a female devotee was forced to rub her nose on someone's feet in an act of forced humiliation. 'They said Yadavs had no right to preach in a Brahmin village," he claimed. 'He told my wife to feed him by hand and serve him for seven days to gain punya," Jai Prakash told reporters. 'My wife got scared and informed me. When I confronted them, they left in a hurry and dropped two Aadhaar cards—one with Agnihotri and one with Yadav." His wife, Renu, added, 'We were told he was an Agnihotri. We never asked his caste after that. But his behavior during rituals was uncomfortable. He was touching inappropriately during puja." Both deny involvement in any violent act, saying that 'some boys in the village" acted on their own. 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 YADAV ANGER EXPLODES On Thursday, the situation escalated dramatically when nearly 2,000 members of various Yadav organizations gathered outside Dadarapur, demanding the release of Indian Reforms Organization's national president Gagan Yadav, who was detained by police ahead of his planned protest visit. The crowd turned aggressive, blocking the Agra-Kanpur National Highway and clashing with police. According to officials, the protesters pelted stones at police vehicles, breaking windshields and injuring personnel. In response, police used force to disperse the crowd. Eyewitnesses say a Circle Officer and Inspector drew their pistols and chased protesters, with unconfirmed reports of aerial firing. 'A few people tried to incite violence. Stone pelting happened. But there was no police firing," said ASP Rural Shreeshchandra. Nineteen protesters have been detained, and search operations have been launched in four villages—Dadarapur, Ureng, Pahadpura, and Noudhana—for others involved. AKHILESH YADAV'S INTERVENTION As the protests gained traction, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav weighed in strongly, turning the incident into a political flashpoint. He met Mukut Mani and Sant Kumar in Lucknow, offered them Rs 51,000 each, and gifted them new musical instruments. He also invited them to perform a Katha at the SP headquarters. 'Prabhutvawadi seemayein langh gayi hain (supremacist limits have been crossed)," Akhilesh said. 'They shave heads, beat people, snatch instruments, and demand money. Who gives these supremacists such impunity? This is a heartless government that supports every unconstitutional act." A VILLAGE DIVIDED, A TEMPLE EMPTY Dadarapur, a village with 103 Brahmin households and a mix of Thakur and Dalit families, now resembles a fortress. Roads are barricaded, police from 12 stations are deployed, and tension hangs heavy. The temple where the Katha was held is locked. The sacred kalash lies abandoned. The event tent has been dismantled. Ram Swaroop Das, the priest who arranged the Katha, is absconding. Locals admit that caste was not discussed openly until now. 'No one knew they were Yadavs," said a villager. 'The invitation card listed him as Pandit Mukut Mani Maharaj from Vrindavan. His assistant Surdas had a family link here. That's how it came out." THE POLITICAL UNDERCURRENT While the state government has remained largely silent, the opposition has found in this a potent narrative of upper caste oppression and police bias. Dalit and OBC activists have drawn parallels to past cases where caste-based humiliation went unpunished or was institutionally inverted through FIRs against victims. 'The government must answer—how is the victim now the accused?" asked Rajeev Yadav, a protester from Mainpuri. 'Is this justice or a show of caste supremacy?" he added. With the village still tense, political temperatures rising, and no arrests of the alleged attackers, the road to justice appears uncertain. But one thing is clear: the Brahmin vs Yadav flashpoint in Dadarapur is no longer a local issue. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Akhilesh Yadav news18 specials Location : Etawah, India, India First Published: June 27, 2025, 18:39 IST News india Katha To Caste Conflict: Brahmin Vs Yadav Turns Into Political Battle In UP's Etawah
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Action will be based solely on crime, not caste: UP minister
Jun 27, 2025 05:20 AM IST : Putting forward the state government's view point on the Etawah incident, tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh on Thursday said action will be based solely on the crime committed and not on the basis of the caste of the accused. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tried to give a caste colour to the matter, he alleged.A group of upper caste men allegedly tonsured the head of a religious preacher and his aide after finding that they were Yadavs at Dandarpur village of Uttar Pradesh's Etawah district. Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh (For representation only) After the tonsuring incident, the accused were arrested on Monday. The incident led to violence on Thursday.'As soon as information of the Etawah incident was received, senior officials reached the spot and controlled the situation,' Jaiveer Singh told media persons late on Thursday night. 'Adequate police force is deployed on the spot. Peace has been restored. So far, 15 miscreants have been detained and legal action is being taken against them. None of the accused was arrested on the basis of caste, but on the basis of crime. All the four accused have been arrested and orders have been given for a fair investigation,' Singh added.'The UP government is working on the policy of 'neither will we save nor will we trap anyone'. Without the truth coming out, Akhilesh Yadav tried to give a caste color to the matter,' said Singh.'Akhilesh Yadav tried to mislead the public by making baseless allegations against the Brahmin community. Like every time, this time also they (Samajwadi Party) reacted to crime by looking at the caste, not by checking facts,' Singh said.'The government assures all organisations that justice will be done and the guilty will not be spared,' said requested the media to broadcast factual information and avoid rumours promoting caste has the responsibility to maintain peace and unity of the state, he minister Yogi Adityanath has clearly said that strict action will be taken against those promoting caste conflict, he said.'This conflict is not natural, but is a part of a well-planned political conspiracy,' the minister alleged.'Sanatan Dharma's Sant Prabhu Ramanand made Raidas and Kabir his disciples even though both of them were not from the Brahmin community. Sanatan Dharma respects qualities, not caste,' said Singh.'We have worshipped Sant Raidas and Kabir by keeping them not only in the category of saints, but also in the category of God,' he added.'The BJP government built a memorial and museum for Sant Ravidas at his birthplace in Varanasi and installed his statue in Lalpur, celebrated Ravidas Jayanti and included him in the curriculum,' said airport of Ayodhya has been named after Maharishi the SP government, the academy and research institute in the name of Sant Kabir Dasji in Maghar was renamed after invaders, Singh Minister Narerendra Modi and the chief minister have touched the feet of sanitation workers without any discrimination during the Maha Kumbh and the work done by them has not only been appreciated but they have also been honoured for it, the minister said.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Violence in Etawah after case against two ‘kathavachaks'
: Violence erupted in Etawah district on Thursday after the police registered a case against two Bhagavat kathavachaks (religious storytellers), accused of concealing their caste identity during a discourse at Dandarpur village. The FIR was filed on allegations of caste-based misconduct. It triggered widespread protests by members of the 'Ahir Regiment', a socio-cultural body, leading to road blockades, slogan-shouting and stone-pelting incidents. According to police officials familiar with the matters, the protesters began hurling stones when they were denied entry into the village. (For representation only) Tensions had been simmering since the two kathavachaks were allegedly humiliated during a Bhagavat katha on June 21 at Dandarpur after it emerged that they were Yadavs. The two were reportedly made to perform acts of penance, including being tonsured and forced to rub their noses at the feet of women — acts that sparked public outrage and calls for legal action. Police had earlier arrested six individuals over the incident. However, villagers demanded further action, alleging that the kathavachaks had concealed their identity during discussions around their engagement. On Thursday, police registered cases against Sant Singh Yadav and Mukut Singh Yadav. One of the organisers, Jai Prakash Tiwari, who lodged the FIR, stated that had their caste identity been disclosed earlier, they would not have been engaged for the discourse. Later in the day, over 300 members of the Ahir Regiment staged a protest outside the Bakewar police station. Shouting slogans, the demonstrators blocked the busy Kanpur-Agra highway, disrupting traffic for over an hour. Police personnel from Bakewar, Bharthana, Lavedhi and Usrahar were deployed to disperse the protesters. A section of the crowd dispersed on the police's arrival but several others moved towards Dandarpur village. They were intercepted on the Ludhiyani-Nibadikala Road, where a heated exchange with security personnel escalated into violence. According to police officials familiar with the matters, the protesters began hurling stones when they were denied entry into the village. Several police vehicles were damaged in the attack. 'The force acted with restraint and reinforcement was called in,' said circle officer Atul Pradhan, who was present at the scene, adding that the police were in the process of filing the FIR. The police have detained six persons in connection with the violence. There is a substantial police presence in and around Dandarpur now, where villagers have reportedly largely confined themselves indoors.
India Today
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Chirag Paswan camp calls Nitish Kumar's caste survey a betrayal of Dalits, tribals
Union Minister Chirag Paswan's party MP and brother-in-law, Arun Bharti, has hit out at the caste survey, which was conducted by the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar in 2023, calling it a fraud and conspiracy against the marginalised section of the society including Dalits and Adivasis."Caste survey in the Mahagathbandhan government was a fraud and a well-planned conspiracy to keep the Bahujan community deprived of their rights", Arun Bharti Bharti, raised questions on the caste survey conducted by the Mahagathbandhan government and slammed then-Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav for using the entire exercise to strengthen the Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) vote bank of Muslims and Yadavs. "Tejashwi Yadav was the one who made the most noise about the caste survey and had claimed it would be a revolutionary step towards social justice, but what happened was just a half-baked caste survey wrapped in political cleverness in which there was neither social justice nor inclusive thinking. It was only to strengthen the claim to the chair by highlighting the number of its M-Y vote bank", Bharti Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(R)] MP added that the caste survey only counted the number of castes but did not provide details regarding which caste was how poor, which caste had access to education and which not, what is the share of various castes in government services and who has what rights over the land and survey was a well-planned conspiracy to keep the Muslim and Yadav vote bank in power and administration. The survey was direct deceit against the Dalit, Mahadalit and tribal communities. The real objective was to convert the number of castes into a vote bank and strengthen their claim to power and not to give opportunities and rights to the deprived class", he the recently notified proposed caste census by the central government, he said Chirag Paswan played a decisive role in the government getting approval for the actual caste census to take place, in which the idea was not only to collect numbers, but also to get details regarding the educational, economic and administrative roles of different castes."Now not just numbers, but complete social and economic details will be recorded. The condition of the Bahujan community will be presented with evidence in the constitution, policy and the court so that they can get a constitution and equitable reservation. The data collected will become a solid foundation for expanding reservations and policymaking in favour of the Bahujan community", Arun Bharti said.- Ends
