The alleged assault on कथावाचक (storyteller) Mukut Mani Yadav and his associate Sant Singh Yadav in Daandarpur village, इटावा ( इटावा district) in Uttar Pradesh, has now escalated into a political and caste-based controversy. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and Yadav महासभा (Yadav Assembly) have launched a front in support of the storytellers, while the Brahmin महासभा (Brahmin Assembly) has expressed concern over the unilateral action, demanding a fair investigation.
Brahmin महासभा Expresses Concern
On Tuesday, Arun Dubey, President of the UP Brahmin महासभा, met with इटावा’s SSP (Superintendent of Police) Brajesh Kumar Srivastava to present their viewpoint on the matter. He stated that the incident involving the storytellers is reprehensible, but serious allegations have also been leveled against them, requiring a thorough and impartial investigation. Dubey alleged that the police initially only considered one side of the story, but now a second account has emerged, and the police have assured action within five days.
Dubey emphasized that the matter is not caste-based, but that Samajwadi Party is exploiting it by viewing it through a casteist lens. He questioned the appropriateness of resorting to violence if a storyteller seated at the ‘vyaas peeth’ (scripture’s seat) engaged in inappropriate behavior. However, he cautioned against violence, warning that if the police act under pressure and only target one side, the Brahmin community will not remain silent.
SP and Yadav महासभा’s Response
Conversely, the Samajwadi Party has characterized the incident as an attempt to disrupt communal harmony, given that the storytellers were Yadavs. इटावा district president of SP, प्रदीप शाक्य, questioned the legitimacy of anyone having the right to beat up a storyteller. He described it as a complete conspiracy and accused that the allegations against the storytellers were fabricated to balance the situation.
Shivraj Singh Yadav, जिलाध्यक्ष ( जिलाध्यक्ष) of the All India Yadav महासभा, also submitted a memorandum to the SSP, demanding strict action against the perpetrators. He stated that this is not merely an issue involving one individual, but a matter concerning the religious sentiments of the entire community. The महासभा (Assembly) has warned that if justice is not delivered promptly, a major movement will be launched.
Four Accused Named
In this dispute, the police have named four individuals as accused, all residents of Daandarpur village. The accused include आशीष तिवारी (21), उत्तम अवस्थी (19), प्रथम दुबे उर्फ मनु दुबे (24), and निक्की अवस्थी (30). निक्की अवस्थी is accused of cutting the hair of the storytellers’ associate, which further inflamed the situation.
Police have stated that a search is underway for all the accused, and that authorities are focusing on potential locations. Currently, the village is experiencing a tense atmosphere, and the administration has assured strict action to maintain law and order.
