logo
Etawah incident ploy to divide UP along caste lines: Akhilesh

Etawah incident ploy to divide UP along caste lines: Akhilesh

Time of India4 hours ago

Lucknow:
Samajwadi Party
chief
Akhilesh Yadav
on Friday launched a scathing attack on the
BJP
over the recent assault on a non-Brahmin katha vachak and his team in Etawah. He termed the incident part of a larger conspiracy to divide the state along caste lines.
"The BJP is deploying its 'planted people' with strategic surnames from neighbouring states to carry out its infiltrative politics and disturb social harmony in the state. But the people of Uttar Pradesh are aware of the truth. Society here will not be divided by the actions of a few negative elements — it will emerge even stronger," he said.
Questioning the BJP central leadership's 'lack of trust' in its UP unit, the former CM said: "Is there not even one BJP leader in UP whom those sitting in Delhi can trust? Is that why people from outside are being brought in to stage conspiracies and disrupt peace here?"
Further aiming at the Yogi Adityanath govt, the former chief minister accused the BJP of opening the state's borders to "anarchic elements" who, he claimed, enter Uttar Pradesh, disturb peace, and leave unchallenged.
Referring to the assault on the katha vachak and his team, including a visually impaired dholak player, Yadav said, "A handful of dominance-obsessed individuals didn't even spare the artist who 'sees the world through rhythm'.
By snatching his dholak and levelling baseless accusations, such people have lost the sympathy of even their own community."
He condemned the attackers as "inhuman and un-Indian", saying that those who truly revere India's cultural heritage are always compassionate and kind-hearted. Rallying support under the banner of PDA- his party's inclusive alliance for Pichhde (backward classes), Dalits and Alpsankhyak (minorities) - Yadav said the incident has united marginalised communities. "

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BJP National President Announcement Likely Soon, But Uttar Pradesh Chief To Be Finalised First
BJP National President Announcement Likely Soon, But Uttar Pradesh Chief To Be Finalised First

News18

time24 minutes ago

  • News18

BJP National President Announcement Likely Soon, But Uttar Pradesh Chief To Be Finalised First

June has largely been dedicated to Modi government events marking one year of its third term and 11 years of 'seva'. However, organisational activity has now picked up pace After a brief lull due to the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, the Bharatiya Janata Party has resumed focus on pending organisational elections. Key among these is the appointment of the party's national president, expected soon, but not before Uttar Pradesh gets its new state unit chief. Given Uttar Pradesh's political significance and the upcoming state elections in two years, the BJP is prioritising the appointment of a new president there, setting the tone for the national leadership transition. Other major states are also in focus. Gujarat, home to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah, is due for a leadership change. Currently, CR Patil holds the post but he now serves as a union cabinet minister. Madhya Pradesh—considered the BJP's oldest organisational stronghold—also awaits a new state president, as BD Sharma's term has ended. June has largely been dedicated to Modi government events marking one year of its third term and 11 years of 'seva". However, organisational activity has now picked up pace. On Friday, the BJP appointed central observers for organisational elections in three key states. In Maharashtra, union minister Kiren Rijiju will oversee proceedings. Ravindra Chavan, currently working president after Chandrakant Patil joined the state cabinet, is expected to take full charge. In Uttarakhand, union minister Harsh Malhotra has been tasked with finalising the new state president. In West Bengal, former union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has been assigned as current state president Sukanta Majumdar, now also a union minister, may be replaced. With West Bengal headed to polls next year, there is speculation that the BJP may appoint a woman as state president. Agnimitra Paul and former MP Locket Chatterjee are seen as strong contenders. Organisational elections in other states are being scheduled. Tripura elections will be held on June 29, with former union minister Pratima Bhowmik in contention. Andhra Pradesh elections are set for July 1, as current president D Purandeswari remains in contention along with BJP Lok Sabha MP CM Ramesh. Sources have said that in Telangana, a new state president is likely to be announced in the coming week. In Karnataka, sources suggest that BY Vijayendra—son of veteran leader BS Yediyurappa and current state president—may continue for another term, especially given the political instability facing the Congress government in the state. Out of 36 states and union territories, the BJP has successfully concluded elections in 14. As per party norms, 51% of state units must complete their organisational polls before the national president is elected. Incumbent national president JP Nadda, appointed in January 2020, has already completed his full term. He was granted extensions to lead the party through key events, including the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP is now expected to move swiftly on completing the remaining state-level appointments before naming its next national president. First Published: June 27, 2025, 19:14 IST

Bahraich mazar demolition: HC seeks state's response on contempt plea
Bahraich mazar demolition: HC seeks state's response on contempt plea

Hindustan Times

time38 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Bahraich mazar demolition: HC seeks state's response on contempt plea

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has sought the state government's response on a contempt petition alleging that the Uttar Pradesh government violated an earlier assurance given to the court that no coercive action would be taken against the Dargah Hazrat Sayyed Mohammad Hashim Shah (also known as Lakkad Shah Mazar) situated in Bahraich district. On June 10, UP govt had informed the high court that it had stopped the demolition drive at Lakkad Shah and three other mazars situated in the Murtiha Range forest of Katarniaghat Wildlife division. (For Representation) Justice Brij Raj Singh on June 25 directed the state counsel to seek instructions in light of the allegations made in the contempt plea directing to list the matter as fresh on July 3, 2025. 'Learned counsel for the applicant will serve a copy of the contempt application to the learned Standing Counsel today, who is directed to seek instructions in the matter as there is allegation that there is violation of the undertaking given by the learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel in the order dated 10.06.2025 passed in Writ-C No.5870 of 2025,' the court ordered. The contempt plea moved by the committee of management Dargah claimed that despite the state's categorical submission before the court on June 10, 2025, that the demolition had been stopped and no coercive steps would be taken for the next four weeks, the structure was fully razed on June 13. Earlier, on June 10, the UP government had informed the high court that it had stopped the demolition drive at Lakkad Shah and three other mazars situated in the Murtiha Range forest of Katarniaghat Wildlife division in Bahraich. The state had also assured the court that no further demolition or coercive action would be taken for a period of four weeks. This assurance was recorded by a division bench of Justice Saurabh Lavania and Justice Syed Qamar Hasan Rizvi, which was hearing a petition filed by the managing committee of Waqf No. 108, which oversees the dargah where Urs has reportedly been celebrated since the 16th century. The committee had moved the HC after the forest department initiated the demolition of these mazars, citing encroachment on protected forest land under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. In the contempt plea, the waqf committee has alleged that on June 13, just 3 days after the state's assurance, the police personnel took the caretakers of the mazar and other people into custody and dropped them nearly a kilometre away from the site. The plea further alleges that demolition at the site resumed soon thereafter and that the entire structure was razed and now only the graves are intact. The plea also accuses the authorities of wilful and deliberate breach of the undertaking and flouting the court's direction of maintaining the status quo at the site.

As CM, Uddhav accepted report saying Hindi compulsory, says Fadnavis
As CM, Uddhav accepted report saying Hindi compulsory, says Fadnavis

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

As CM, Uddhav accepted report saying Hindi compulsory, says Fadnavis

MUMBAI: The BJP rushed to the defence of the state government over its decision to introduce Hindi as an optional language for Classes 1 to 5 after the Thackeray cousins announced their decision to hold a joint morcha against "imposition" of Hindi in state schools. CM Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said Marathi is compulsory, Hindi is optional. "Basically, students can learn any Indian language. We have accepted the three-language policy. When NE was introduced, the Uddhav Thackeray govt was in office. An 18-member committee was set up to study the policy, and in 2021 the Thackeray govt accepted it and further action was taken on it. In this report, it was clearly mentioned that along with Marathi, Hindi and English be made compulsory. Will you consider Mashelkar, Bhalchandra Mungekar, Sukhdev Thorat, who submitted this report, anti-Maharashtra? We allowed all languages," he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store