Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday lashed out at caste-based discrimination following the assault of a Bhagwat Katha narrator in Etawah. Speaking at the party headquarters, he questioned the control of “dominant groups” over religious discourses and said, “If everyone is allowed to listen to the Bhagwat Katha, why can’t everyone narrate it too?”
Referring to the viral video of the Etawah incident, where a narrator was beaten, had his hair cut, and a woman was forced to rub her nose at someone's feet allegedly after his caste was revealed, Akhilesh said, “This is the result of feudal elements who believe they alone have the right to religion.”
He called out the silence of these forces when it comes to accepting offerings. “Let these dominant groups openly declare they will not accept donations from PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) communities,” he said, reinforcing his support for the underprivileged.
The SP chief also accused the BJP government of shielding such regressive forces. “Injustice is being meted out to PDA communities. The ruling powers are enabling this oppression. If decisions were taken as per the Constitution and its Preamble, the poor and minorities would receive respect,” he added.
As a symbolic gesture, Akhilesh honoured the assaulted narrators at the SP office. He gave each of them ₹21,000 personally, while the party pledged an additional ₹51,000 to each victim.
He concluded by saying the fight for social dignity and equality will continue, emphasizing that no one has a monopoly on faith or devotion.
