Ayodhya: A political controversy erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Rudauli tehsil after BJP MLA Ramchandra Yadav staged a protest over a police case filed against six residents, including four Dalits and two Muslims, for allegedly cutting a tree and stealing wood. The case was registered at the Baba Bazar police station following a complaint by Nagar Panchayat Executive Officer Nikhilesh Mishra.
The protest took place outside the Nagar Panchayat office on Wednesday. Yadav, joined by district BJP general secretary Radhey Shyam Tyagi and several party workers, demanded the withdrawal of the FIR. The demonstration ended after Circle Officer Ashish Nigam assured appropriate action.
According to Mishra, the alleged incident occurred during cleaning work for the upcoming Jhalkari Bai Jayanti celebration on November 22, which Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to attend. He said a tree was cut without authorization, prompting the complaint. The accused, identified as Nishu Ahmad, Aabid Abdul, Lal Bahadur, Ramroop, Siyaram, and Navmi Lal, have been charged with theft of wood, and the matter is under investigation.
Yadav said he had already informed the Chief Minister about the situation before the FIR was filed and criticized the local administration for targeting members of the Kori community. Following his meeting with the Chief Minister, Rudauli Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vikas Dhar Dubey was transferred to Sohawal tehsil.
BJP district spokesperson Rajneesh Singh later condemned the protest, calling it inappropriate and urging party disciplinary action against those involved. The situation in Rudauli remains tense as party factions express contrasting views on the incident.
