The MTA Speaks: Caste conflict at Etawah Katha, speaker attacked – Political battle erupts | Analysis by Manoj Tibrewal Aakash

Etawah: Etawah in Uttar Pradesh is at the center of a controversy these days, which has shaken not only the village and the society, but also the politics, police system, religious structure, and caste thinking of the entire state. This is not just a case of beating up two storytellers but a crack in the wall of identity, tradition, and hypocrisy, which is still deeply rooted in our society.

Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash, in his show 'The MTA Speaks', told the entire story of every incident from June 21 till now—with facts, statements, allegations, and reactions. It all started on the evening of June 21, when a Bhagwat Katha was organized in Dadarpur village of the Bakewar police station area of ​​Etawah district. Storyteller Mukut Mani Singh Yadav from Kanpur and his companion Sant Singh Yadav reached there to narrate the story.

The villagers allege that he accepted the story by calling himself a Brahmin, but later, when his caste was revealed as 'Yadav,' a controversy arose. This dispute suddenly turned into violence.

Video of the incident went viral on social media

The narrators were not only beaten up, but their heads were shaved, their braids were cut, and they were publicly humiliated. Not only this, the narrators claim that they were forced to rub their noses on the feet of a female host, their Rs 25,000 and a chain were snatched, and their harmonium and other items were broken.

The video of this entire incident went viral on social media; the police took cognizance of the video on June 22. On the instructions of SSP Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, the police swung into action, and four youths of the village—Ashish Tiwari, Uttam Awasthi, Pratham Dubey, and Nikki Awasthi—were arrested. Nikki is being considered the main accused among them.

Serious allegations against the narrators too

A named report was also filed against 50 unknown people in this case. But the story did not stop here. On June 23, storyteller Mukut Mani Singh Yadav, along with SP MP Jitendra Dohre, met the SSP and lodged a complaint about the inhuman treatment meted out to him.

The National Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognizance of the matter and has summoned a report in ten days. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav reacted strongly to the whole matter. He called the storytellers to Lucknow and helped them financially for the loss of the dholak, harmonium, etc.

He called this incident an example of 'dominant mentality' and said that if caste restrictions are imposed on storytelling, then the government should make a law that only Brahmins can tell the story. After this, the whole matter took a new turn. On June 24, serious allegations were also made against the storytellers.

On the complaint of Dadarpur resident Jaiprakash Tiwari, an FIR was registered against Mukut Mani Yadav and Sant Singh Yadav. A serious case was registered against them under sections of the IPC. The allegation was that they hid their caste identity and incited religious sentiments.

Demand for strict action against the accused

Another shocking fact came to light from here—Mukut Mani Singh has two Aadhar cards. One has the name 'Mukut Mani Agnihotri,' and the other has 'Mukut Mani Yadav.' Both the cards have the same photo and address.

Now caste-based organizations have also jumped into this controversy. On June 25, 'Vishwa Yadav Parishad 'national president Awadhesh Yadav met the storytellers and demanded strict action against the accused.

He also warned that if the other accused are not arrested soon, then a movement will be organized. On the same day, 'Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dhartiputra)' also demonstrated and surrounded the DM office.

Police lathi-charged and fired in the air

Today, a major incident took place in Dadarpur, Etawah, when the 'Ahir Regiment,' which had come in support of the storytellers, and the police came face to face. The people of the 'Ahir Regiment' took out a procession in the village, raising slogans.

The situation became tense when a clash broke out between the protesters and the police. Stones were pelted at the police; in response, the police resorted to lathi charge and aerial firing. In this incident, many protesters were detained and dozens of vehicles were seized.

After this came the turn of Brahmin Mahasabha. The state president of this organization, Arun Dubey, met the SSP and accused the storytellers of "misbehaving with women, hurting religious sentiments, and caste fraud" and warned that if action is not taken soon, they will launch a statewide movement.

"We will tell stories only when we are alive."

In this entire matter, the Chief Minister reprimanded SSP Brijesh Srivastava of Etawah and said that some people are conspiring to spread caste conflict in UP and the police are failing to stop it.

The Chief Minister also reprimanded the Superintendents of Police of Auraiya and Kaushambi for negligence and said that now the responsibility of the officers will be fixed directly on such incidents.

The most surprising thing is that storyteller Mukut Mani said in a conversation with journalists that he was held hostage and beaten, urine was thrown on the platform, and he was humiliated in the name of caste.

He also said that the Yogi government can even get him killed. When journalists asked him if he would continue to narrate the story, he said, "I will narrate the story only if I am alive."

Will caste-based surveillance be imposed on spiritual traditions as well?

Religious leaders also reacted to this entire controversy. Shankaracharya Avimukteshwarananda said that in the tradition of Sanatan Dharma, every caste has the right to narrate and listen to the stories of God, but there has been a tradition of seating only Brahmins on the dias on public forums.

Now the big question is whether caste-based surveillance will be imposed on spiritual traditions like storytelling as well? Is having two Aadhaar cards a criminal conspiracy or just an administrative mistake? Will caste certification be mandatory in religious events?

And is all this not against the basic spirit of democratic India? This controversy is now not only a legal and social issue, but its impact has also reached political discourse. Caste organizations, political parties, religious institutions and the administration—all are looking at this incident from their own perspective.

This is the time when we have to decide together whether social equality will remain only in books or will also be implemented in practice.