Security personnel keep vigil outside a mausoleum after members of Hindu right-wing outfits allegedly created a ruckus on Monday, in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. The members created a ruckus at the mausoleum, claiming it to be a temple site where they had the right to pray.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) witnessed uproar over an incident in Fatehpur where members of Hindu organisations, including the Bajrang Dal, on Monday (August 11, 2025) attempted to offer prayers inside an old mausoleum, barging into the premises and allegedly vandalising parts of the structure with sticks.
The groups that entered the mausoleum on Monday claim that it was built after razing a temple. During Zero Hour, Opposition MLAs, primarily from the Samajwadi Party (SP), demanded a debate on the incident, alleging that the ruling dispensation and its affiliates had conspired to “disturb” communal harmony in the State. They sought accountability and strict action against the accused, claiming that local BJP leaders had incited the crowd to take over the shrine.
Amid the ruckus, the U.P. government informed the House that an FIR had been registered and legal action would be taken as per the rules. Opposition members, however, accused the government of attempting to shield the culprits and raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration.
‘Nefarious design’
“In Fatehpur, the ruling party’s people supported the attackers. It seems a coordinated and nefarious design to create division on communal lines, with the claim that the mausoleum belonged to Hindus. The government is trying to disturb communal harmony,” said Mata Prasad Pandey, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.
Outside the House, political temperatures rose further. SP president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the incident in Fatehpur is a sign of the “fast-decaying BJP”.
“Whenever the BJP and its allies’ lies are exposed, a conspiracy is hatched to spoil harmony. The public now understands this trick and will neither fall for nor be misled by such acts. It remains to be seen whether the culprits will be identified by the drones of Lucknow or the drones of Delhi,” Mr. Yadav said.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati urged the government to ensure that no community is allowed to take steps that could create communal tension or harm mutual brotherhood.
“In the ongoing dispute over the existence of a mausoleum and a temple in Fatehpur district, the government must take this matter seriously and act strictly if required,” she wrote on X.
Published – August 13, 2025 06:54 am IST
