Caste tensions resurfaced in Mau town of Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh, when the Yadav and Brahmin communities came face to face over a thirteenth-day feast (terahvin bhoj). The matter concerned a typical trayodashi bhoj, in which a man named Kamal Yadav invited 13 Brahmins according to tradition, but the Yadav community panchayat expressed b displeasure over this and socially boycotted Kamal Yadav's family.
Controversy Linked to Etawah Incident
In fact, the roots of this entire dispute are linked to the Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh, where an incident of cutting the sacred thread and hair of Yadav storytellers came to light on June 21. Since this incident, an atmosphere of tension has prevailed between the Brahmin and Yadav communities. Against this backdrop, the Yadav community of Bhind district took a collective decision that they would now have their religious rituals performed not by Brahmins, but by trained individuals from their own community.
This decision has drawn a clear line in the community, under which the religious roles of Brahmins have been limited. A recent example of this came to the fore in Mau town when Kamal Yadav invited Brahmins to his mother's trayodashi.
Panchayat Announces Boycott Decree
According to information, Kamal Yadav's mother, Ramadevi, passed away on July 4, after which a trayodashi bhoj was organized on July 16. For this feast, Kamal Yadav, following tradition, invited thirteen Brahmins. When the community members found out about this, a panchayat was called on July 14, in which it was unanimously decided that Kamal Yadav's feast would be boycotted.
The panchayat termed it a violation of the community's collective decision and said that inviting Brahmins was against the self-respect of the Yadav community. Following this decision, many people from the community did not participate in the feast.
No Information Given
Expressing his displeasure on this entire matter, Kamal Yadav said that he was not given any prior information about the panchayat's decision. He says that rituals have been performed by the family's traditional priest for years, and he followed the same tradition.
Kamal said that only a few people objected to inviting Brahmins to the feast, and he was informed about this just one day before the event. He also claimed that many people attended the feast, only a few boycotted it.
Social Divide Exposed Again
This matter is not limited to just one feast, but it points towards the increasing caste tension and religious segregation in the society. On one hand, the Yadav community is reconsidering the role of Brahmins, while on the other hand, such social boycotts are affecting centuries-old traditions and social balance.
This controversy has once again raised the question of whether it is right to break social relationships on the basis of caste and religion, or whether flexibility in traditions is necessary with time?
