On the night between November 6 and 7, 2025, tension gripped the village of Sijhari and its neighboring areas in the Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh following the vandalism of a statue of Sant Ravidas, a revered 15th-century Dalit saint and poet. The incident sparked immediate unrest among the local population, predominantly Dalits, who viewed the act as a direct affront to their community and identity. In response, villagers organized a sit-in protest at the site of the damaged statue, vocally expressing their outrage by raising pro-Ambedkarite slogans and demanding swift and stringent action against those responsible for the defacement.
The protest attracted the attention of senior law enforcement officials who promptly arrived at the scene to assess the situation and engage with the community members. The district police and local authorities assured the protestors that a thorough investigation would be conducted and measures would be put in place to prevent any recurrence of such incidents. Following these assurances, the villagers agreed to call off their demonstration, although police presence remained substantial in the area to maintain peace and prevent any escalation.
Police officials have registered a case under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Indian penal code, and have begun scrutinizing available CCTV footage and other electronic evidence in an effort to identify and apprehend the culprits swiftly. Vandana Singh, the Additional Superintendent of Police (ACP) of Mahoba, confirmed that senior officials had inspected the site soon after the incident was reported, emphasizing that meaningful efforts were underway to ensure early arrests.
The unrest also drew political attention, with Congress State Secretary Brijraj Ahirwar joining the villagers in a dharna (sit-in protest) at the site. Ahirwar expressed his concern over the incident and warned that if the accused were not arrested within two days, the Congress party would be compelled to launch a large-scale movement to seek justice. This stance underlines the political sensitivity surrounding the issue and the heightened tensions between communities and political groups in the region.
The opposition parties have strongly condemned the vandalism, pointing fingers at feudal elements they claim have been emboldened under the current state government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Anil Yadav, a senior leader of the Uttar Pradesh Congress, accused these groups of deliberately targeting symbols and icons of marginalized communities such as Sant Ravidas and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to send a chilling message intended to suppress the self-respect and identity of Dalits and other disadvantaged groups. According to Yadav, this is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of hate-driven acts that have surfaced repeatedly over the past year across the state.
He highlighted that at least ten similar incidents involving the desecration of statues and symbols significant to Dalit and marginalized communities have been reported in the last twelve months. Yadav attributed these acts to a "politics of hate" fostered by the BJP, suggesting that such incidents are orchestrated to reinforce social hierarchies and intimidate marginalized groups. He held the ruling party accountable for creating an environment in which such anti-social behavior is allowed to flourish.
The figure of Sant Ravidas holds a profound place in the cultural and social history of Dalits in India. As a 15th-century saint and poet, Ravidas's teachings emphasized equality, social justice, and the rejection of caste-based discrimination. His legacy has inspired generations in the Dalit anti-caste movement, making the vandalism of his statue not only an act of physical damage but also a symbolic attack on the ideals he represents. The protestors’ invocation of Ambedkarite slogans during the sit-in underscores the deep resonance of these icons in contemporary struggles for Dalit rights and dignity.
The police have committed to a transparent and prompt investigation, with hopes that the perpetrators will be brought to justice quickly to restore peace and reaffirm the community’s faith in law enforcement. Meanwhile, the local administration remains vigilant, maintaining a security presence to deter further incidents and ensure that law and order are preserved.
This incident in Mahoba reflects broader tensions in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India, where caste-based discrimination and conflict continue to pose challenges to social harmony. Despite legal and constitutional safeguards, marginalized communities frequently find themselves targets of violence and symbolic attacks that seek to undermine their social status and rights. The repeated vandalism of statues and symbols important to these communities suggests an ongoing struggle over identity, recognition, and