A new round of caste clashes in Saharanpur district of western Uttar Pradesh led the ruling BJP and the BSP to trade accusations on Wednesday, each blaming the other for making matters worse.

Mayawati’s allegations

BSP chief Mayawati said the BJP government was “fully responsible and guilty” for the violence. She alleged that the “saffron brigade” had been given a free hand and that casteist elements linked to the BJP and RSS were disturbing social harmony and misusing the state machinery.

On Tuesday Mayawati visited the troubled villages, meeting Dalit families whose homes were set on fire in recent attacks allegedly carried out by members of the Thakur community. She said proper security had not been arranged in the villages because the government was unhappy with her visit, and blamed the latest clashes on neglect by the district administration, which she accused of acting together with BJP supporters.

Violence on the day of her visit

On Tuesday, the day of her tour, caste violence broke out for the third time in Chandrapura village of the district. One person was killed and several were injured.

Delegation to the chief minister

Later that evening Mayawati sent four senior party leaders to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They were to press for strict legal action against those responsible and compensation for the victims. The team included national general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra and the party’s Uttar Pradesh president, Ram Achal Rajbhar.

See also: Uttar Pradesh MLAs

Originally published on 30 May 2017. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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