Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Friday attacked the BJP for the recent attack on a non-Brahmin kathavachak (religious preacher) and his staff, terming it one case in a broader conspiracy to dismantle Uttar Pradesh on caste lines by introducing "planted elements" from surrounding states. Talking of the attack that occurred during the intervening night of June 22-23, he added, "The BJP is sending its 'planted persons' with tactically chosen surnames from surrounding states to conduct its infiltrative politics and agitate social harmony in Uttar Pradesh. But Uttar Pradesh people know the reality. Society here will not be split by the actions of some corrupt elements -" it will come out even stronger." Yadav raised questions about the "lack of trust" the BJP central leadership supposedly has in its own party cadre from Uttar Pradesh.
"Cannot there be even a single Bharatiya Janata Party leader in Uttar Pradesh on whom those sitting in Delhi can rely? That is why people from outside are being hired to enact conspiracies and upset peace here," he queried.
Targeting the Yogi Adityanath government directly, the former chief minister blamed the BJP for opening the state's borders to "anarchic forces" who, he alleged, come into Uttar Pradesh, upset peace, and go scot-free.
Describing the attack on the kathavachak and his members, including a blind dholak player, Yadav said, "A few dominance-fancy people didn't even spare the artist who 'sees the world through rhythm'. By way of grabbing his dholak and making false allegations, such people have lost the sympathy of even their own people." He labelled the perpetrators as "inhuman and un-Indian", stating that such people who really respect India's cultural heritage are always kind-hearted and sympathetic.
Mobilising PDA support— his party's inclusive grouping of ‘pichhde’ (backward classes), Dalits and ‘alpsankhyak’ (minorities)— Yadav claimed that the Etawah incident brought all marginalised groups together.
"The whole PDA society is standing behind each and every victim of what I term as the 'Etawai PDA insult incident'," he asserted.
"PDA is the new resonance of resistance against oppression. It is the collective and conscious awakening of those historically sidelined and wronged. It does not call for revenge but for a change in mindset," he added.
Also read: Akhilesh slams BJP govt over teachers' plight in UP
Yadav ended his long X post by asserting once again that the PDA is a vision for a more just and equal society based on dignity and progressive social justice: "The PDA is a determined call for a new order - one that eradicates inequality and provides equality, respect and opportunity for all." His post follows on the heels of violence in Etawah yesterday during a face-off between protestors, some belonging to a Yadav caste-based community, and local police. The protestors besieged the Bakewar police station seeking the withdrawal of the FIR filed against the kathavachak and his colleague.
Alleged images of the Thursday violence depicted unknown individuals hurling stones at police officials while the policemen also carried guns in the arm in a clear attempt to retreat the protestors on a narrow village road.
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