Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reportedly expressed strong displeasure and reprimanded the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Etawah district following a controversial incident involving the alleged assault and humiliation of a ‘Katha Vachak‘ (religious storyteller). The incident, which has garnered significant attention and outrage, particularly on social media, involved the alleged cutting of the storyteller’s topknot (choti) and other forms of mistreatment, with claims of caste-based discrimination at its core.
The incident, which occurred in Etawah’s Bakewar area, involved two ‘Katha Vachaks’, Mukut Mani Yadav and his assistant Sant Kumar Yadav. Reports indicate that they were allegedly targeted by a group of individuals from the Brahmin community who questioned their legitimacy as storytellers based on their caste. The victims claim they were held captive, beaten, and had their topknots forcibly cut, with videos of the alleged humiliation, including being forced to rub their noses on the ground and a woman being made to touch their feet, going viral on social media. Money was also reportedly extorted from them.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and has taken on a significant political dimension, with opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party, accusing the ruling government of failing to protect marginalized communities and highlighting what they describe as a “feudalistic and dominant mindset” behind such acts. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has reportedly met with the victims and offered them financial assistance, demanding strict action against the culprits.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a serious view of the matter, emphasizing that any attempts to disrupt social harmony and spread caste-based animosity will not be tolerated. He has directed the Etawah police and administration to swiftly uncover any conspiracies behind the incident, publicly identify the culprits, and take stringent legal action against them. Several arrests have reportedly been made in connection with the case, with police investigating the viral videos and collecting evidence.
The incident has ignited a debate about caste discrimination and social justice, especially concerning traditional roles and practices within religious spheres. The victims and their supporters maintain that they were subjected to barbaric treatment simply for revealing their caste identity, challenging the notion that certain religious practices or roles are exclusive to particular castes. The administration is under pressure to ensure a fair and swift investigation to restore public trust and prevent such incidents from recurring.