A religious discourse in Dadarapur village has spiraled into a full-blown caste conflict and political flashpoint in Uttar Pradesh’s Etawah district, after Bhagwat Katha narrator Mukut Mani Yadav was allegedly assaulted and humiliated by upper-caste villagers for his caste identity. The incident has triggered mass protests, police clashes, and a sharp political divide, with parties accusing each other of exploiting caste fault lines.
🔥 From Katha to Crisis: What Happened?
- On June 22, during a Bhagwat Katha at the home of Jai Prakash Tiwari, narrator Mukut Mani Yadav was allegedly asked his caste
- Upon revealing he was a Yadav, he claims he was beaten, tonsured, and his musical instruments vandalized
- A viral video shows his hair being forcibly cut amid jeers; his associate was also reportedly assaulted
- Yadav alleges a female devotee was forced to rub her nose on someone’s feet, adding to the humiliation
🚨 FIR Against the Victim?
- In a controversial twist, police filed an FIR against Yadav and his associate, not the alleged attackers
- The complaint, filed by Tiwari, accuses Yadav of molestation, impersonation, and hurting religious sentiments
- Tiwari claims Yadav posed as a Brahmin “Agnihotri” and made inappropriate advances toward his wife
- Yadav denies the allegations, calling them a cover-up to justify caste-based violence
🗳️ Political Fallout: SP vs BJP Narrative War
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav met the victims, offered ₹51,000 each, and condemned the attack as “Manuwadi oppression”
- SP leaders allege the BJP is shielding upper-caste aggressors and weaponizing caste divisions
- BJP leaders counter that the incident is being politicized for electoral gain, citing the FIR as evidence of misconduct
“They said Yadavs had no right to preach in a Brahmin village,” Yadav told reporters, visibly shaken
🧭 Dadarapur on Edge
- The village, with a Brahmin-majority population, is now under heavy police deployment
- Roads are barricaded, the temple is locked, and the event tent dismantled
- Tensions remain high as Ahir Regiment supporters attempted to march into the village, leading to stone-pelting and police action
📌 Why It Matters
- Highlights the fragile caste dynamics in rural Uttar Pradesh
- Raises questions about freedom of religious expression and equal access to spiritual platforms
- Could influence caste-based political mobilization ahead of the 2027 state elections
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