The controversy surrounding the mistreatment of storyteller Mukut Mani Yadav and his associate Sant Singh Yadav in Dandarpur village, Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, is intensifying. On one hand, political parties are actively engaged, while on the other hand, caste-based alignments have begun to form. After the Samajwadi Party and Yadav Mahasabha showed their support for the storytellers, the Brahmin Mahasabha has also stepped into the fray.
The Brahmin Mahasabha expressed that although what happened to the Yadav storytellers was wrong, serious allegations were also made against them, which must be investigated. Unilateral action will not be tolerated. On the previous Tuesday, Arun Dubey, the president of the UP Brahmin Mahasabha, met with Etawah's SSP Brijesh Kumar Srivastava to present his side. Dubey stated that initially, only one side was heard, but now the other side has presented their case to the police. The police took our concerns seriously and promised action post-investigation. A five-day period was given.
In a media interaction, Arun Dubey stated that their demand for punishment of the accused from both sides stands firm. No bias in action will be tolerated. If such bias occurs, they will protest. He remarked that the incident was not initially caste-based, but the Samajwadi Party portrayed it as such. Anyone can narrate tales; we attend narrations too. However, misbehaving under the guise of storytelling will not be tolerated. Those who gave a caste angle to the issue did not attempt to ascertain the truth.
According to Arun Dubey, if a storyteller seated on the sacred platform acts inappropriately, such as holding a woman's hand or giving her unpleasant glances, it is natural for it to incite anger among people. However, we do not endorse violence. But, the action by the police under mob pressure focusing solely on the Brahmin side will not be tolerated.
Also read about -
The incident of misbehavior with Yadav storytellers in Etawah and the molestation allegations by a Brahmin woman and her statement at the SP office.
A statement from the SP Leader
In this matter, the president of Etawah's Samajwadi Party, Pradeep Shakya, described the incident as deeply disgraceful and sad. He urged the Brahmin community to stand against such misconduct. Society should not harbor hatred. Even if the storytellers were Yadav, who gave the right to assault? Are Yadavs not Hindus? The slogan 'Divide and Rule' won't work here.
Source: aajtak
Pradeep Shakya suggests that the allegations made by the woman against the victimized storytellers were pressure-induced to balance the case and obscure the truth. The knowledge of the storytellers’ caste was pre-known, leading to the assault. This is all a conspiracy. Currently, they are satisfied with the police action so far, but the next steps will be watched closely.
Meanwhile, Shivraj Singh Yadav, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Yadav Mahasabha, expressed outrage over the Dandarpur incident during a meeting with his organization's officials. In this regard, they presented a memorandum to the SSP demanding strict action against the culprits.
Names of Arrested Individuals:
Ashish Tiwari (21), Resident of Dandarpur village Uttam Awasthi (19), Resident of Dandarpur village Pratham Dubey alias Manu Dubey (24), Resident of Dandarpur village Nikky Awasthi (30), Resident of Dandarpur village (Accused of cutting the tuft of the storyteller's associate).
