Raebareli: A person, who had come close to former Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya under the pretext of garlanding him at a public event, tried to slap him before running away. The person was thrashed by Maurya's supporters before he was detained by the police. A video of the incident surfaced online, showing the chaotic scenes that unfolded at the Motel Chauraha in Raebareli on Wednesday.
The former minister was being welcomed by his supporters at the intersection when the incident took place. According to eyewitnesses, two youths approached Maurya, and one of them suddenly tried to slap him. As the assailants attempted to flee, Maurya’s supporters caught hold of them and retaliated with physical blows before handing them over to the police.
Circle Officer Sadar, Amit Singh, confirmed that the youths has been taken into custody. "The investigation is underway. An FIR will be registered once we receive a formal complaint," he said.
Reacting to the incident, Swami Prasad Maurya said, “These are insects in the name of Karni Sena. They are brazenly mocking law and order in Yogi Adityanath’s government. It only shows how emboldened hooligans and mafia have become.”
The attacker, while in police custody, claimed he acted because of Maurya’s repeated remarks against Sanatan Dharma. “He regularly insults Sanatan Dharma, so I attacked him,” the youth said.
Maurya, a former cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath government who later joined the Samajwadi Party, has frequently courted controversy with his comments on Hindu texts and traditions. His statements have sparked outrage among conservative groups, making him a polarising figure in recent years.
The incident drew sharp political reactions, with Azad Samaj Party president and Member of Parliament Chandra Shekhar Azad condemning the attack. “This assault on Swami Prasad Maurya is shameful and condemnable. In a democracy, disagreements must be addressed through debate and dialogue, not violence. Such cowardly acts are not just attacks on individuals but on democratic values and political decorum,” he said, urging the Uttar Pradesh Police to take strict action against those involved.
Police said additional security arrangements would be considered for Maurya in light of the incident. Further investigations are ongoing.
