Tension in Etawah as Protests Erupt Over Caste-Based Tonsuring Incident and Police Response

Tensions rose in Etawah's Dandarpur village after an alleged caste-based incident involving two Bhagwat Katha preachers. Members of Yadav groups protested, demanding the arrest of the accused and the withdrawal of charges against the victims. Crowds gathered near the Agra-Kanpur highway and in Bakewar, leading to clashes with police.

Etawah Senior Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Srivastava stated that social media alerted them to potential protests. Police were deployed in town, on highways, and in the village to maintain order. Around 1:30 pm, a large crowd formed on the Agra-Kanpur highway. Most dispersed peacefully, but some attempted to enter Dandarpur village, risking disruption.

Protests and Police Response

Hundreds from Yadav groups gathered at Bakewar police station, protesting alleged police actions against victims and demanding arrests. SP Rural Sreesh Chandra reported that police tried to stop the advancing crowd, leading to a heated exchange. When protesters persisted, police used lathis to disperse them.

The crowd retaliated by throwing stones at police, damaging a police jeep's windshield. Some protesters fled towards the Agra-Kanpur highway. Videos showed unidentified individuals pelting stones at police while officers brandished firearms to warn them on a narrow road.

Incident Details and Arrests

The unrest stemmed from an incident on June 22-23 when Mukut Mani Yadav and Sant Singh Yadav were allegedly tonsured by upper-caste men for being Yadavs. A viral video showed accused saying, "You are getting punished for coming to the village of Brahmins." The victims claimed they were interrogated about their caste and humiliated.

Sant Singh Yadav alleged torture throughout the night, including head shaving and urine sprinkling for "purification." Following the video's circulation, four accused — Ashish Tiwari, Uttam Kumar Awasthi, Nikki Awasthi, and Manu Dubey — were arrested and charged.

Political Reactions and Accusations

UP minister Jaiveer Singh accused Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav of giving the incident a casteist spin and inciting violence. Singh criticised Akhilesh for making reckless statements without verifying facts, claiming it was part of SP's strategy to divide society along caste lines for political gain.

Akhilesh condemned the incident as a gross violation of constitutional values and warned of a large-scale movement if action wasn't taken within three days. In response to Etawah violence, Singh emphasised swift administrative action and affirmed commitment to strict measures moving forward.

Government's Commitment

Based on initial investigations, four individuals were arrested initially, followed by 15 more detentions related to local miscreants' violence. Singh stated that anyone taking law into their own hands wouldn't be spared regardless of caste or community.

The minister described the incident as a well-planned conspiracy and assured that the government is determined to uncover the truth and take strict action against those responsible. He added that BJP respects Sanatan culture, not casteism.

With inputs from PTI