A Letter, a Call for 'Renovation' and Vandalism at a Mausoleum: What Exactly Happened at Fatehpur

Lucknow: A violent confrontation erupted in Fatehpur on August 11, after a mob from various Hindutva bodies stormed a centuries-old mausoleum in Abu Nagar, hoisted saffron flags on its, performed Hindu rituals inside, and vandalised graves – all in the presence of security forces.

The brazen act, followed by stone-pelting and clashes with members of the Muslim community, has triggered a political outcry and raised further questions about law enforcement in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Uttar Pradesh.

According to police, the crowd forced its way into the mausoleum despite barricades and police deployment aimed at safeguarding it. Chants from the Hanuman Chalisa and the blowing of conch shells reverberated inside the structure as several men reportedly damaged two graves, breaking parts of their stone surfaces with sticks.

Muslims people present nearby protested the vandalism. There was stone-pelting and chaos in the area. Security forces resorted to heavy deployment, with senior officers on site to prevent further flare-ups.

Fatehpur Police confirmed that 10 named and 150 unidentified persons have been booked for the incident.

Among accused are Abhishek Shukla, Dharmendra Singh, Ashish Trivedi, Pappu Singh Chauhan, Prashoon Tiwari, Ritik Pal, Vinay Tiwari (councillor), Pushpraj Patel, Ajay Singh alias Rinku Lohari and Devnath Dhakad.

A day ago, the Samajwadi Party expelled Pappu Singh Chauhan – named in the FIR – for his alleged involvement in anti-party activities.

Police personnel at the site after members of Hindu right-wing outfits allegedly created ruckus at a mausoleum, in Fatehpur, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Photo: PTI.

The case – registered at Kotwali Nagar police station as case number 319/2025 – brings a slew of charges under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), the Criminal Law Amendment Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The sections invoked against accused include 190 (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (rioting with deadly weapon), 301 (trespassing on burial places) and 196 (promoting enmity between different groups). Also invoked were section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act (prohibits the instigation or participation in unlawful assemblies in restricted areas), and sections 2 and 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act (punishment for damaging or destroying public property, with enhanced penalties if the property is of historical or religious significance).

Anoop Kumar Singh, superintendent of police told the media that police teams are reviewing video and drone footage to identify the remaining suspects. “We have formed multiple teams to ensure swift arrests. “Those who entered the (maqbara) mausoleum, vandalised property, or raised provocative slogans will face legal action.”

A letter 

The roots of the August 11 violence lie in a letter sent on August 7 by a little-known organisation, Math Mandir Sanrakshan Samiti, to the Fatehpur district magistrate. The Samiti claimed that the mausoleum was actually the “Siddhpeeth Thakur Ji Virajman Temple” and sought permission to renovate and beautify it ahead of Janmashtami.

The letter, signed by about 15 individuals, described the structure as "an important Sanatan Hindu site" attracting devotees during Diwali and Krishna Janmashtami. It alleged that “anti-social elements” were blocking access roads and creating fear among women devotees.

The Samiti announced its intention to start renovation work on August 11 – the same day the violence occurred. Authorities, however, denied permission and deployed barricades and police to prevent entry.

Defying the ban, the Samiti’s confidence appeared bolstered when local BJP district president Mukhlal Singh publicly appealed to Hindu followers to gather for prayers at the site, calling it a "mandir". On August 11 morning, hundreds answered the call.

Fatehpur: Members of Hindu right-wing outfits allegedly created ruckus at a mausoleum, in Fatehpur, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Photo: PTI.

Who were responsible?

According to eyewitness accounts, the flashpoint came at around 11 am, when a large crowd from groups allegedly including the BJP, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Mahasabha gathered near PWD Tiraha. However, the police did not confirm the involvement of any of these organisations in Fatehpur violence.

The gathering, called under the pretext of a peaceful procession, turned towards the barricaded mausoleum.

According to police, security forces tried to block their advance, but the mob – carrying saffron flags, sticks, and wooden poles – pushed through. Some climbed the structure, hoisted flags, performed aarti, and chanted religious slogans. Others vandalised graves inside, acts that police say clearly qualify as mischief and trespass in a religious place under the BNS.

Muslims nearby reacted, leading to clashes.

Outrage 

The violence has inflamed political tempers in Lucknow, with the opposition seizing on the incident as evidence of the BJP government’s alleged inability – or unwillingness – to protect minority heritage sites.

Kanpur Cantonment MLA from Samajwadi Party Mohammad Hasan ‘Rumi’ sent a letter to the assembly speaker, calling for an urgent discussion on Fatehpur violence on the floor of house in the ongoing Monsoon Session of the state assembly. He alleged that despite being a protected national property under Khasra No. 753, with Mohammad Anees as the mutawalli (custodian), the Nawab Abdul Samad Maqbara was misrepresented as a Shiva temple.

Rumi pointedly contrasted the police’s passive presence in Fatehpur with its aggressive action in Sambhal during a mosque dispute, where Muslim youths were killed in firing.

“The Yogi Adityanath-led  government has lost control over law and order,” he said, accusing it of allowing targeted communal provocation. He further clarified that the Thakur Virajman temple – cited by the Hindu group as the “original” identity of the mausoleum – is in fact located elsewhere on Khasra No. 1159, far from Abu Nagar.

The Congress has accused chief minister Adityanath of failing to uphold the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which mandates maintaining the religious character of places of worship as they existed on 15 August 1947.

Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput alleged that “this has become a trend where the BJP polarises society for electoral gain” and called for stringent legal action against those involved. “Yogi’s claims of strong law and order stand exposed,” he said.

The timing of the incident – days before Janmashtami and in the middle of the assembly’s Monsoon Session – and the overt involvement of political functionaries has deepened concerns that the act was premeditated.

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