Protests erupt in Etawah over FIR against Yadav religious narrators

Violence broke out in Dadarpur village under Bakewar police station limits in Etawah district on Thursday (June 26, 2025), after several Yadav caste-based social organisations protested against the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against two kathawachaks (religious narrators) under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Calling the FIR “wrong” and “nefarious,” the protestors demanded strict action against those accused of allegedly torturing the two religious narrators during a religious event held earlier. The protest turned violent as the crowd attempted to reach the Bakewar police station and reportedly pelted stones. Police resorted to firing shots in the air to disperse the agitators.

“In the religious narrator case, some organisations like Ahir Regiment and Yadav Organisation surrounded Bakewar police station and demanded the withdrawal of the case against the storytellers. Angry protesters created a ruckus. People were pacified and removed from the police station. However, the protesters moved towards the Agra–Kanpur National Highway,” said Shrish Gautam, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Etawah.

He added, “Legal action will be taken against those who take the law in their hands. It is being ensured that law and order is not disturbed anywhere.”

Supporters of the kathawachaks accused the authorities of targeting religious figures from the Yadav community while allegedly shielding individuals from upper castes involved in the incident.

The controversy began when four persons were arrested for allegedly assaulting the two narrators—identified as Mani Yadav and his associate Sant Kumar Yadav - accused of holding them captive, torturing them, forcibly tonsuring their heads, and sprinkling urine on them to “purify” them.

Subsequently, a counter FIR was registered against the two narrators under Section 299 (acts committed with intent to insult religious beliefs), and Section 318(4) of the BNS (cheating), on charges of misleading people during religious events and concealing their caste identity through forged documentation.

The incident has taken a political turn with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav accusing the BJP-led State government of bias. “It is a well-planned conspiracy. But such incidents cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. If the government fails to conduct a fair investigation and action, we will take to the streets in protest,” Mr. Yadav said.