Kushinagar: In the quiet village of Baghparna, under the jurisdiction of Nebova Naurangia police station in Kushinagar district, a heated discussion about the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections escalated into a tragic event last Friday night. The debate, centered around various political issues, unexpectedly spiraled into a deadly controversy.

Radheshyam Pathak, a 60-year-old resident, found himself inadvertently caught in the midst of this tension. He was merely taking a stroll outside his home when he overheard and then engaged in the election-related debates occurring among some villagers. Unfortunately, his act of expressing dissent on certain matters became a perilous action. This disagreement led to Radheshyam being subjected to a severe beating by some agitated individuals in the village.

The severity of the attack on Radheshyam was such that he needed immediate medical attention. Observing his critical condition, the initial medical responders referred him to a larger medical facility—the medical college in Gorakhpur. Despite the efforts to save him, Radheshyam succumbed to his injuries around 5 a.m. this morning during treatment. Meanwhile, the medical treatment for another individual involved in the incident is still ongoing.

The fallout of the debate did not end with Radheshyam's unfortunate demise. According to police reports, Shambhu Chaudhary along with three other individuals, all alleged supporters of the Samajwadi Party, are accused of orchestrating the assault that led to his death. In the chaos that ensued, family members who attempted to intervene and save Radheshyam were also brutally attacked.

The local authorities have since taken swift action in response to this violent incident. An FIR has been registered against the four accused individuals, and a thorough investigation is currently underway to address this grave injustice. The incident, which occurred on Friday (10th May 2024), has left the village of Baghparna in a state of shock and mourning.

In a detailed account of the events that transpired in Kushinagar, it is reported that the initial discussion took place under the shade of a tree near a local temple in Baghapurna village. This gathering on Friday was marked by local villagers sharing their views on the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. It was during this casual yet crucial political discussion that tensions began to rise, according to family members of the deceased. Shambhu Chaudhary and his group openly supported the Samajwadi Party, while Amit Pathak, who was part of the assembly, voiced his support for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The ideological clash escalated quickly, leading to a vehement argument. It is during this heated exchange that Shambhu Chaudhary, unable to contain his fury, reportedly declared, “Main jise kahunga, use vote dena padega.” (Translation – "You will have to vote for whom I tell you to vote.")

Efforts were made by some peacemakers at the scene to defuse the situation, and for a brief moment, it seemed that calm had been restored as both parties retreated to their homes. However, the peace was short-lived. Allegedly, that very night, driven by unresolved anger, Shambhu Chaudhary, accompanied by several accomplices, arrived at Amit Pathak's residence. Upon arrival, the group reportedly began by hurling verbal abuses at the family members present. The confrontation quickly escalated into physical violence, with the attackers mercilessly beating every member of Amit Pathak’s family. Among the victims were Amit’s 55-year-old father, Radheshyam Pathak, and his 21-year-old sister, Ritu Pathak.

The noise and chaos of the assault attracted the attention of nearby residents, who rushed to the scene in an attempt to intervene.

In a disturbing escalation of violence in Kushinagar, the victims of a brutal attack managed to alert the authorities by calling the emergency number 112. The police personnel promptly responded to the distress call at Amit Pathak's residence. Upon their arrival, the attackers, who were identified as members of Shambhu Chaudhary’s family, fled the scene while threatening further violence. The identified attackers were named Sipu and Tinkle Chaudhary.

In the immediate aftermath, Ritu Pathak and her brother Amit, along with their severely injured father Radheshyam, were urgently transported to medical facilities. Ritu and Amit were admitted to the Medical College in Ravindra Nagar due to the injuries they sustained. Radheshyam, whose condition was critically serious, was referred to the Gorakhpur Medical College for advanced care. Despite all medical efforts, Radheshyam succumbed to his injuries. Following his death, his body was subjected to a post-mortem examination to further investigate the circumstances of his demise.

The death of Radheshyam sparked outrage among his relatives and the local community. In a poignant display of grief and demand for justice, they staged a protest by placing Radheshyam's body in front of the police station. The demonstrators called for stringent action against Shambhu Chaudhary and his accomplices, insisting on accountability and immediate arrests.

In response to the escalating situation and public outcry, the police took measures to restore order and filed an FIR, categorizing the incident as stemming from a mutual dispute. This incident has drawn condemnation from various organizations, deploring the senseless violence and murder of Radheshyam Pathak. As the accused remain at large, police efforts to locate and apprehend Shambhu Chaudhary and his accomplices are intensifying. Given the heightened tensions in the area, additional police forces have been deployed in the village to prevent further disturbances and ensure the safety of its residents.

The death of Radheshyam Pathak has left his family and the local community engulfed in turmoil and grief. Following the tragic event, the bereaved family members and angry relatives gathered at the Nebova police station, vociferously demanding justice and the apprehension of those responsible for the violence. The police worked to soothe the heightened emotions, reassuring the relatives that appropriate actions would be taken against the culprits. Subsequently, the family submitted a formal written complaint, prompting the police to file a case against four individuals and commence a thorough investigation.

Amidst these proceedings, the police took custody of Radheshyam's body to conduct a post-mortem examination, which is a standard procedure to ascertain the exact cause of death in such violent incidents.

During this period of intense scrutiny and public interest, the deceased’s daughter recounted the events leading up to the tragedy. She described a seemingly innocuous gathering where local villagers, including her father, were playing cards outside the village. It was during this leisure activity that a discussion about the upcoming elections escalated into a debate on political affiliations and voting preferences. This discussion tragically spiraled into a confrontation, with some aggressive youths from the village attacking her grandfather, leading to his untimely death.

Adding to the community's narrative, Kushinagar's Additional Superintendent of Police, Ritesh Singh, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He confirmed that the altercation was indeed between two parties, which tragically resulted in the death of an elderly person. He reassured the public that an investigation is actively ongoing to uncover all facets of the incident.

This incident marks the third occasion where a member of the Brahmin community has tragically lost their life in the area under circumstances tied to political support for the BJP.

The killing of Radheshyam Pathak, a known supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has stirred a host of urgent questions within his community and beyond. The accused in this heart-wrenching case are identified as Shambhu Chaudhary, Ankit Chaudhary, Nitesh Chaudhary, and Abhishek Chaudhary, all reported supporters of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and from the SC category. This incident has escalated into a broader debate about the political repercussions and the expected responses from the authorities and the BJP.

The community is now voicing several poignant questions: Will the BJP honor late Pathak with the Ashok Chakra? Will they compensate his family with 1 crore? What actions will be taken against the culprits? Queries about whether the culprits will face an encounter, if the NSA (National Security Act) will be applied, or if bulldozers will be used against the culprits' houses are circulating among the public. These questions reflect the community's deep frustration and desire for justice and recognition of the loss they have endured.

Further intensifying the debate, comments have surfaced questioning the political loyalty and the consequences it bears for the Brahmin community, which Radheshyam belonged to. There is a critical examination of what the BJP has offered to the Brahmins, suggesting that despite their significant placement even in realms like the BJP IT Cell, they face severe repercussions and losses, "Brahmins will be abused, lives will be lost, and plans will be made for minorities, SC/ST/OBCs," reflecting a sentiment of discontent and disenchantment with the current political dynamics. The comment ends with a rhetorical question about the wisdom of such steadfast political support, highlighted with the hashtag #IT_Cell_Fake_Sanatanis, pointing to a perceived disconnect between proclaimed values and political actions.

Amidst these swirling political questions and comments, the human cost of this tragedy remains starkly evident. Radheshyam Pathak's daughter, overwhelmed by grief, expressed her despair, saying, "I can't live without my dad," while other relatives reel from the shock of the incident. Her words paint a picture of a family shattered by violence, lamenting the absence of justice and support in their time of need. Radheshyam's brutal murder and the injury of one of his sons underscore the severity of the incident that has not only taken a life but has also left a family and community grappling with the aftermath.