Watch: Who Was Dadua – a Rebel, Dacoit or God?

This is the third in a three-part video series. Watch part one here and part two here. 

In a land where lawlessness is the law of the land, it is no wonder that a dacoit wins hearts, rules over minds and evokes both respect and fear in its people. Respect because he earns it. Fear because, well, what’s the emotion that comes to mind when you hear of eyes being gouged out?

It’s common knowledge that gangs and dacoits have always thrived in Uttar Pradesh, it is their karmabhoomi and they’re all sons – and daughters – of the soil. Right from Phoolan Devi to Man Singh, they’ve been curious subjects of investigation, ripe material for books, movies and the likes.

But what gives Dadua the dacoit an edge is his legacy. He is possibly the only dacoit in UP to have guided political careers across generations. His brother, his son, his nephew have all been players on the political battlefield of UP.

Part three focuses on Balkumar Patel, Dadua’s brother and former parliament member from the Samajwadi Party. “Who doesn’t have cases against them in politics?” is the googly he throws our way even as he talks development and emancipation.