Rae Bareli, August 6, 2025 — A shocking incident unfolded during a public event in Rae Bareli when Swami Prasad Maurya, former Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister and National President of Apna Samaj Party, was slapped from behind by a youth posing as a supporter. The attack occurred while Maurya was being welcomed with garlands at Saras Crossing, en route to Fatehpur.
🧨 Chaos on Stage and Streets
The assailant approached Maurya under the guise of greeting him and suddenly slapped him, leaving the crowd stunned. Maurya’s supporters immediately overpowered the attacker and beat him before handing him over to the police. In a separate incident the same day, chaos erupted at Saras Chowk, where supporters gathered to welcome Maurya were reportedly attacked by miscreants, raising serious questions about security arrangements2.
📹 Viral Video and Political Fallout
A video of the slap has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread public outrage. Maurya responded by blaming the Karni Sena, calling them “insects and pests” who are emboldened under the current regime.
“These goons are trampling law and order under the patronage of the ruling government,” Maurya said, accusing the Yogi Adityanath administration of caste-based favoritism4.
🚨 Police Investigation Underway
According to Circle Officer Amit Singh, two individuals have been detained for questioning. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack and have yet to confirm any organizational affiliation of the assailants.
🗳️ Political Implications
Maurya, who has been a vocal critic of the BJP, announced that his party Lok Morcha will contest the 2027 elections with the slogan:
“BJP Hatao, UP Bachao” (Remove BJP, Save UP).
The incident has reignited debates around political violence, freedom of expression, and public safety during political gatherings.