Agra: The grand inauguration of Bhim Nagari in Agra witnessed unexpected turbulence on multiple fronts during Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit. What was meant to be a celebratory event to honor the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar quickly turned tense as four separate incidents disrupted the proceedings, highlighting underlying social and political tensions.
First Incident: ‘Radhe-Radhe’ Sparks Outrage
The first flashpoint emerged when Mathura MLA Puran Prakash Mehra raised slogans of “Radhe-Radhe” and “Jai Shri Krishna” from the stage just after concluding his speech. The slogans, seen as religiously charged, sparked immediate outrage among many attendees who accused the MLA of attempting to “saffronize” an event dedicated to Baba Saheb Ambedkar.
Several women and youth among the protestors began raising slogans of “Jai Bhim” and demanded the MLA’s removal from the stage. The atmosphere grew charged as attendees stood up from their chairs and raised their voices in unison. Though the police and organizing committee tried to pacify the protestors, tempers only cooled when the MLA returned to the mic and raised “Jai Bhim” slogans himself. However, the damage had already been done—just minutes later, CM Yogi Adityanath arrived on the stage amidst the tension.
Second Incident: Monks Protest Seating Arrangement
The second disruption came moments after the Chief Minister took the stage. A group of Buddhist monks expressed their displeasure at being made to sit on the ground while dignitaries occupied chairs. Their protest quickly caught the attention of the organizers and police. As the monks began to leave in protest, they were promptly escorted back and seated on chairs on the stage to resolve the matter.
Third Incident: Self-Proclaimed Dacoit Causes Commotion
During or shortly after the Chief Minister’s address, a man from the crowd caused a stir by loudly claiming he was a dacoit. Holding a garland of flowers, he demanded to personally garland CM Yogi. Security forces and police quickly intervened, removing the man and the garland from the venue, thereby averting a potential breach of protocol.
Fourth Incident: Clash Outside the Venue
Outside the event premises, yet another incident unfolded as the CM’s convoy passed. A local man alleged that the police misbehaved with him while trying to control the crowd. A video of the incident has surfaced, showing the man angrily confronting police officers and sarcastically calling himself a “fool” for being mistreated near his own residence. The situation de-escalated after a policeman respectfully folded his hands before the man, who in turn saluted the officer and calmed down.
Despite tight security and heavy police deployment at every corner of the venue, the event was marred by tension, protests, and symbolic gestures of resistance. The police successfully defused all situations, allowing the event to conclude without major disruption.
