Etawah, Uttar Pradesh: A shocking case of caste-based violence has emerged from Dadrapur village in Bakewar police station limits, where a group of Brahmin men allegedly assaulted a Yadav katha vachak (religious preacher), forcibly tonsured his head, and humiliated him for conducting a Bhagavat Katha in their village. The incident, which occurred on 22 June, came to light after a video of the assault went viral on social media.
The victim, Mukutmani Singh Yadav, a resident of Kanpur currently living in Etawah’s Civil Lines, accused Pappu Baba—who had organised the seven-day religious event—and his associates of attacking him upon learning his caste. According to Mukutmani, Pappu Baba, along with Atul, Manish, Dealer, and around 50 others, beat him with shoes, forcibly shaved his head, and made him apologise by bowing to villagers’ footwear. A woman devotee was also forced to rub her nose on his feet. The assailants allegedly stole Rs 25,000 and a gold chain before expelling him from the village.
Mukutmani, who performs Bhagavat Katha with fellow preachers Sant Singh Yadav and Shyam Katheria, claimed the attackers justified the violence by asking, “How dare a non-Brahmin hold a Katha in our village?”
On Monday, Mukutmani, accompanied by SP MP Jitendra Dohre, met SSP Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, demanding strict action. An FIR has been registered against Pappu Baba and others under relevant IPC sections. The SSP termed the incident “unacceptable” and assured swift arrests.
Dohre condemned the attack as “unconstitutional and inhuman,” warning that the Samajwadi Party would raise the issue in Parliament if police fail to act.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has condemned the incident and strict action against the accused.
In a X post on Monday, Akhilesh said, "In Etawah's Bakewar area, in Dandarpur village, during a Bhagwat Katha (religious discourse), when the kathavachak (narrator) and his assistants were asked about their caste and they mentioned being from the PDA community, some casteist and dominant individuals misbehaved with them - forcing them to get their heads shaved, making them rub their noses (in humiliation), and performing a 'purification' of the area."
"Our Constitution does not permit caste-based discrimination. This is a crime against the fundamental right to live with human dignity and self-respect. All accused must be arrested immediately and a case registered under appropriate sections of law. If strict action is not taken within the next 3 days, we will call for a major movement to 'protect the honour and dignity of the PDA community'. Nothing is more important than the dignity of the PDA community!" he added.
