Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday, 11 May expressed serious concern over caste violence that erupted in Lalwala village of Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, following a dispute over the installation of a photograph on a contested plot of land. Several members of the Dalit community were reportedly injured in the clashes, with the village remaining tense in the aftermath.

What Triggered the Violence

The violence reportedly broke out over a land ownership dispute between members of the Scheduled Caste and Kshatriya (Thakur) communities in Lalwala village. Both sides allegedly engaged in heavy stone-pelting and physical assault, leaving several persons injured. According to local residents from the Scheduled Caste community, members of the other side were allegedly attempting to encroach upon the land and install a statue of a revered figure belonging to their community. However, members of the Thakur community claimed that the land had been legally purchased by them.

Mayawati's Statement on X

In a post on social media platform X, Mayawati said the dispute over placing a photograph on a plot of land in Lalwala village had triggered violent clashes between two groups, creating fear and tension in the locality. She stressed that reports of injuries to members of the Dalit community were a matter of serious concern, and urged the police and district administration to take immediate and impartial action to restore normalcy and maintain law and order. Appealing for restraint, the BSP chief urged members of both communities to resolve the issue through legal and constitutional means rather than resorting to violence.

Police Response and Deployment

As tensions escalated, police personnel deployed in the area resorted to a baton charge to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control. Heavy police deployment has since been made in the village. Police officials stated that the dispute pertains to land ownership and that a detailed investigation is underway, with legal action being initiated against those involved in the violence.

Political Outfits Descend on Village

Following the incident, workers and office-bearers of organisations including the Bhim Army, Azad Samaj Party, and BSP reached the village, further intensifying the already tense atmosphere. Police also stopped Chandrashekhar Azad, national president of the Azad Samaj Party, from proceeding towards the violence-hit village. This is not the first time Saharanpur has witnessed caste tensions — the district has historically been a flashpoint for Dalit-Thakur conflicts, most notably in 2017, when widespread violence led to the emergence of the Bhim Army as a prominent Dalit rights organisation. The arrival of political outfits risks deepening polarisation at a time when authorities are still working to restore calm.