A False Rape Case In Eastern UP Becomes A Test Of The BJP’s Caste Balancing Act

The complex caste equation in UP that BJP leadership is trying to manage

The 'Kaushambi case' underscores the delicate balance that the ruling BJP has to maintain between various caste communities in Uttar Pradesh.

A man belonging to the Brahmin community committed suicide on 4 June after his son was arrested in a rape case in Uttar Pradesh's (UP) Kaushambi. A week later, UP Police revealed that the rape allegations by a minor girl of the Pal community were false. The Pals come under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community in Uttar Pradesh.

The caste identities of both sides in the case created openings for political narrative-building. Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav was quick to target both of UP's Deputy Chief Ministers (DCM) in the case.

This is because DCM Keshav Prasad Maurya hails from Kaushambi and is an OBC by caste, while another DCM Brajesh Pathak belongs to the Brahmin community. Also, it was Pathak who wrote to the Principal Secretary after the Brahmin man's suicide, directing him to ensure justice and strict action against the culprits.