The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh is dealing with tensions between the Gurjar and Thakur communities in Saharanpur district over a controversy involving 9th century king Mihir Bhoj. The Gurjar community has started a ‘Gaurav Yatra’ for the emperor, which has been the cause of backlash from the Thakur community who also claims his legacy. As the BJP focuses on the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party has asked its organisational team to control the situation to avoid any caste tensions in the politically crucial region of west UP. A senior BJP leader and public representatives from both communities have been asked to settle the issue promptly. The Thakur community had previously objected to the use of the word ‘Gurjar’ inscribed on a statue of Mihir Bhoj in Dadri, Gautam Buddha Nagar approximately two years ago, which raised tensions. BJP leaders are wary of any socio-political fallout from the current situation as both communities have significant socio-political importance in the region.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, commonly known as the BJP, is one of the prominent political parties in India based on Hindu nationalist and Indian right-wing political ideology. It is the current ruling party in India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Atul Pradhan is a Samajwadi Party legislator from Sardhana, Uttar Pradesh, who led the Gurjar community’s recent protest in Saharanpur. He defeated Sangeet Singh Som, a prominent BJP Thakur leader, in the 2022 Assembly elections.
