Lucknow : A controversial directive issued by the Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Panchayati Raj instructing officials to act specifically against members of the Yadav caste and Muslim community for alleged illegal encroachments on village lands has been withdrawn following intense public outrage and political condemnation, reported the Maktoob Media.
The letter, dated July 29, 2025, was circulated to all District Magistrates in the state. It directed them to initiate a statewide campaign to remove “illegal occupations” by “a particular caste (Yadav)” and “a particular religion (Muslim)” from public village properties, including ponds, compost pits, barns, playgrounds, cremation grounds, and Panchayat buildings. The directive was based on a petition submitted by BJP farmer leader Vivek Kumar Srivastava and was signed by Panchayati Raj Joint Director Surendra Nath Singh.
In Ballia district, the directive was further implemented by District Panchayati Raj Officer Avneesh Kumar Srivastava, who instructed Block Development Officers to begin immediate action in their respective blocks.
The order sparked widespread backlash from opposition leaders, civil society, and social organizations who denounced it as unconstitutional, communal, and casteist. Critics emphasized that the directive violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination based on caste or religion.
Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad condemned the letter, stating that targeting Yadav and Muslim communities by name was not only discriminatory but also politically driven. He called for a CBI inquiry, the registration of FIRs, and the dismissal of officials involved, noting that the directive also violated Employee Conduct Service Rules.
Samajwadi Party leader Yasar Shah questioned the selective targeting, asking why only two communities were named if the intention was to remove illegal encroachments in general. He termed the act “shameful” and demanded legal accountability.
Senior SP leader I.P. Singh accused the Yogi Adityanath-led government of using state machinery to undermine the Constitution. He alleged that such actions reflect deep-rooted prejudice against the Yadav and Muslim communities, claiming the directive had support from the Chief Minister’s Office. He also criticized Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar, who oversees both the Panchayati Raj and Minority Welfare departments, for remaining silent on the issue.
Amid mounting criticism, the government revoked the directive, and Joint Director S.N. Singh was suspended. The District Magistrate of Ballia confirmed the withdrawal in a public statement, calling the issuance of the order a mistake.
However, opposition leaders have continued to demand accountability, resignations, and a thorough investigation into how such an order was approved in the first place. Many argue that punishing a lower-level official is insufficient and that those at the top must be held responsible.
The controversy has reignited debates around discrimination, misuse of administrative powers, and the erosion of constitutional values in governance.
