Skip to main content

The Rajput rally and the trap of crowd politics

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  
In India, history is a battleground of conflicting narratives, shaped by caste, class, and social location. When intellectual discourse fails, political parties often resort to crowd mobilization, tapping into raw emotion rather than reason. Crowds, by nature, are neither rational nor reflective—they thrive on a sense of empowerment, especially when backed by ruling powers. We’ve seen this at Anna Hazare’s Ramlila Maidan protests, the outpouring at India Gate after the Nirbhaya tragedy, and even the chaotic gherao of Delhi by Mahendra Singh Tikait. But since the 1990s, the character of crowds has shifted, with Hindutva politics emerging as the biggest beneficiary. The brandishing of swords, a hallmark of Hindutva’s defiance, signals an open challenge to dissenters, emboldened by the assurance of impunity.
The recent massive gathering called by Karni Sena in Agra, demanding an apology from Samajwadi Party leader Ramji Lal Suman, exemplifies this trend. Suman’s remarks—about which he found support and criticism alike—sparked a firestorm, not because of historical accuracy but due to political opportunism. The real target wasn’t Rana Sanga but Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a self-proclaimed Rajput icon. The Samajwadi Party’s decision to keep the issue simmering, rather than defending or correcting Suman while avoiding community-wide vilification, reflects a deeper failure of political strategy. Alienating an entire community serves no one.
This episode also exposes a troubling pattern in narrative-setting. When Akhilesh Yadav was chief minister, he faced accusations of “Yadavvad.” Mayawati was labeled biased toward Dalits. Now, Adityanath is accused of “Thakurwad.” Yet, during all these regimes, Brahmins and Banias consistently held disproportionate influence—check the lists of senior IAS, judicial, or police officers. Curiously, no one questions whether leaders like Narendra Modi, N.D. Tiwari, or Jagannath Mishra promoted Brahmanism. Why the selective outrage? The answer lies in who controls the narrative.
Rajputs, like other farming communities, are flexing their muscles amid political marginalization. When mainstream parties like Congress or BJP—dominated by Brahmin-Bania elites—offer no space, many Rajputs turn to Hindutva’s emotive rhetoric. Yet, a growing number are waking up to this trap, joining Bahujan movements led by groups like Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF). This shift signals a yearning for authentic representation, not just symbolic posturing.
The Agra rally’s vulgar attacks on Suman and Akhilesh Yadav deserve unconditional condemnation. Rajputs have indeed been unfairly vilified by certain historians, but the answer isn’t sword-waving or lathi-wielding. It’s intellectual and political engagement—writing their own histories, building institutions, and forging alliances with like-minded groups. Democracy thrives on coalitions, not nostalgia for a “golden past” that may or may not have existed. Clinging to such myths guarantees neither a golden present nor future.
Broader issues demand attention: farmers’ struggles, caste discrimination, unemployment, inflation, and the rise of superstitious babas. A nation that shuns scientific inquiry for blind devotion risks becoming a caricature of progress, its youth reduced to docile “bhakts” chanting hollow slogans. Rajput youth wielding weapons reflect a failure of their political and intellectual leadership. Leaders can’t hide behind “casteless” politics while ignoring their community’s aspirations. They must engage meaningfully, fostering dialogue and discouraging rage-fueled spectacles.
The Agra rally could have been a powerful statement—a platform for reasoned debate and political assertion. Instead, it risked reinforcing stereotypes of a community stuck in the past, distrustful of democracy. Rajputs, and indeed all communities, would do well to reject being pawns of divisive politics. The path forward lies in strengthening anti-caste movements, amplifying Ambedkarite ideals, and building a future rooted in justice and inclusion. Political parties will keep stoking fires for votes, but communities must rise above, choosing introspection over destruction.
---
*Human rights defender 

Comments

TRENDING

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor*  A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas*  Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative   A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman*   The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra*  The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.