MP: Caste discrimination against Kanwariyas in Shivpuri, case registered against 6 accused under SC-ST Act
According to the victims, during the dispute, Hari Singh and Saidpal snatched the Kaanvad from the hands of priest Rakesh Pandit and threw it on the ground. Meanwhile, all the accused threatened the Kaanvadis that if they complained about the incident to the police, they would be killed.
Published on: 10 Aug 2025, 1:47 pm
Bhopal. A religious dispute has taken a serious turn in Richhai village of Khaniyadhana police station area of Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, when the youth of Jatav community were stopped from offering water from Kaanvad in the Shiv temple of the village. In the incident, allegations of using caste-related abuses, snatching and throwing Kaanvad and threatening to kill have surfaced. Police have registered a case against six people in the case under various sections including SC/ST Act.
Know what is the matter?
This incident is of 6th August. Victim Jeetu Jatav and his companions had set out on the Kanwar Yatra carrying water from the famous temple of Aurchha. They returned to the village at around 10 am and reached the Shiv temple located in the courtyard of the village’s Peepal Wale Bade Baba temple at around 1 pm. They called priest Rakesh Pandit from Kanjwaha village to offer water and started preparations for the puja.
Meanwhile, Karan Singh alias Sedar Singh Bundela, Kispal Singh Bundela, Hari Singh Bundela, Saidpal Bundela, Manju Bundela and Narayan Singh Bundela of the village reached the spot. It is alleged that these people used casteist words and said that “we will not let the Kanwad of Jatavs be carried in this temple”. After this, they abused and stopped the Kanwadis from offering water.
Kaanvad snatched and threw it away, threatened to kill
According to the victims, during the dispute, Hari Singh and Saidpal snatched the Kaanvad from the hands of priest Rakesh Pandit and threw it on the ground. Meanwhile, all the accused threatened the Kaanvadis that if they complained about the incident to the police, they would be killed.
On receiving information about the incident, District Panchayat member Siyaram Lodhi reached the spot. He discussed with the villagers and informed the police. After this, Khaniyadhana police station reached the spot and registered a case.
According to the Khaniyadhana police station in-charge, a case has been registered against six named accused under IPC sections 294 (abuse), 506 (criminal intimidation), 295A (hurting religious sentiments), 34 (crime committed with common intention) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police say that in view of the seriousness of the case, the search for the accused has been started and arrests will be made soon.
