Between April and June 2017, Saharanpur district in western Uttar Pradesh saw repeated clashes between Thakurs (Rajputs) and Dalits. A Thakur man died in Shabbirpur village on 5 May and dozens of Dalit homes were burned; a Dalit man was killed on 23 May. The Bhim Army, a young Dalit group, led protests in Saharanpur and at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, and its founder Chandrashekhar was arrested in June and held under the National Security Act until September 2018.
Key takeaways
- On 20 April 2017 an Ambedkar Jayanti procession with BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal through Sadak Dudhli, Saharanpur, held without police permission, ended in stone-pelting that injured the MP and the SSP.
- On 5 May 2017 in Shabbirpur, a dispute over music in a Thakur procession for Maharana Pratap Jayanti left one Thakur man dead and 15 to 55 Dalit houses burned, by differing counts.
- On 9 May 2017 a refused Dalit mahapanchayat in Saharanpur turned into clashes with police, and the Bhim Army's founder Chandrashekhar was booked.
- On 21 May 2017 the Bhim Army rallied at Jantar Mantar without permission: about 5,000 people per Deccan Herald, over 50,000 per organisers.
- A Dalit man was killed on 23 May 2017 after Mayawati's visit, and the state suspended Saharanpur's SSP and DM the next day.
- Chandrashekhar was arrested on 8 June 2017, got High Court bail on 2 November, was then held under the NSA, and was released on 14 September 2018.
Background: tension in Saharanpur
Saharanpur is in western Uttar Pradesh, where Rajputs (Thakurs) and Dalits have long competed for local dominance, according to PTI PTI via Millennium Post. In Shabbirpur village, a Dalit, Shiv Kumar, won the pradhan's post in 2016 even though the seat had been made a general seat, which police sources and residents told Newslaundry had added to Thakur resentment Newslaundry. The village had about 600 Dalits and over 900 Thakurs The Quint/PTI.
Around Ambedkar Jayanti on 14 April 2017, Dalits in Shabbirpur wanted to install a statue of BR Ambedkar in the village's Ravidas temple. Thakurs objected and insisted that permission be taken first, and police urged the Dalits not to go ahead "in the interest of peace" Scroll The Wire.
The Bhim Army was founded in July 2015 by Chandrashekhar, a lawyer from Chhutmalpur near Shabbirpur, and Vinay Ratan Singh. It ran free schools and intervened in local caste disputes PTI via Millennium Post Scroll.
20 April: the Sadak Dudhli procession
On 20 April 2017, a procession to mark Ambedkar's birth anniversary went through Sadak Dudhli village on the edge of Saharanpur city. Saharanpur BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma was part of it. Stones were thrown from both sides, and the MP, SSP Love Kumar and several policemen were injured, police told PTI PTI via Deccan Herald.
The SSP said "a flag march was taken out in the village without taking permission from the administration". A spokesperson for the MP said "a peaceful rally" had been "attacked by a group" PTI via Deccan Herald.
The MP and his supporters then protested outside the SSP's official residence, and police said a CCTV camera there was damaged PTI via Deccan Herald. The Wire reported that the mob broke the nameplate and furniture after Lakhanpal told it, "The SSP is inefficient and I assure you that he will be removed." Police booked Lakhanpal and over 200 others and arrested more than two dozen people from both communities The Wire.
Days later the state government transferred SSP Love Kumar and District Magistrate Shafqat Kamal as part of a wider reshuffle. The Wire reported that this came hours after a delegation of BJP MPs and MLAs complained about them to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Lakhanpal told The Wire the two officers were "remnants of the Samajwadi Party government" The Wire.
5 May: the Shabbirpur clash
On 5 May, about 20 to 25 Thakur youths from Shabbirpur were heading to Simlana village for a function to garland a statue of Maharana Pratap. Dalit residents objected to loud music as the group passed the Ravidas temple, according to a police report sent to the state headquarters. Stones and bricks were thrown from both sides. Police sent the youths home, but the report said they "soon returned with more people" and set Dalit houses and vehicles, including police vehicles, on fire PTI via Millennium Post.
A Thakur man, Sumit, died. PTI gave his age as 35 and Newslaundry as 27. Thakurs said he was killed by Dalits; Dalits said he accidentally suffocated while Dalit homes were being set on fire, and Newslaundry noted reports that he died of suffocation Contested The Quint/PTI Newslaundry Scroll.
Counts of the damage differ. Early PTI reports said 15 to 20 Dalit houses were torched; PTI later put it at about 25. Newslaundry counted over 50 houses attacked, and The Wire later reported 55 homes burned. At least 15 people were injured PTI via Millennium Post PTI, June 2017 Newslaundry The Wire.
By 12 May, police had arrested 17 people, 10 Thakurs and 7 Dalits, SSP Subhash Chandra Dubey told Newslaundry. The Dalit pradhan was the main accused in the FIR over Sumit's death Newslaundry.
9 May: the mahapanchayat and clashes in Saharanpur city
Dalit groups called a mahapanchayat at Gandhi Park in Saharanpur on 9 May to demand compensation and relief for Shabbirpur. The administration refused permission The Quint/PTI. Scroll reported that the meeting was not held under the Bhim Army's banner, but the group used its network to bring out Dalit youth Scroll.
Protesters clashed with police. Reports said a bus, several two-wheelers and a police post were set on fire; a later PTI report said about a dozen police vehicles were torched and 12 policemen injured The Quint/PTI Deccan Herald PTI via Millennium Post. Each side blamed the other for starting it Contested Scroll.
An FIR was registered at the Saharanpur Dehat police station against Chandrashekhar and 250 unnamed people for loot, assault, injuring public servants, provoking a riot and attempt to murder The Wire. Chandrashekhar went into hiding. On 12 May police said they would look into whether the Bhim Army had Naxal links and were ready to use the NSA against its leaders Scroll. Published reports do not record any later finding of such links.
21 May: the Jantar Mantar rally
Delhi Police refused permission for the Bhim Army's protest. DCP BK Singh said Jantar Mantar's capacity was 5,000 and other protests were already there Millennium Post. Organisers went ahead on Sunday, 21 May.
Deccan Herald estimated the crowd at around 5,000; Sabrang India, an advocacy outlet, put it at over 50,000 Claim · Organisers Deccan Herald Sabrang India. Police said the protest passed peacefully Deccan Herald.
The demands were cases against those who attacked Dalits, Rs 10 lakh compensation for each victim family, withdrawal of the FIRs against Chandrashekhar and other Dalit activists, and a judicial inquiry Deccan Herald. Chandrashekhar appeared at the rally and spoke.
Main kayar nahin hoon. Meri awaaz aap tak pahunchana tha. Issi liye abhi tak chupa tha. Ab main surrender karronga. (I am not a coward. I wanted my message to reach you. I will surrender now.)
Chandrashekhar at Jantar Mantar, as reported by Sabrang India, 22 May 2017
23 May: Mayawati's visit and a second death
On 23 May, BSP chief Mayawati visited Shabbirpur and blamed the BJP government for the violence. Before she arrived, unidentified people set fire to at least 12 Thakur houses in the village, SP (City) Prabal Pratap Singh said The Quint/PTI.
After her visit, a mob attacked BSP supporters returning to Sarsawa. Ashish Meghraj, a Dalit aged 24 or 25, was killed. Police sources said the attackers fired guns and used batons, and the hospital's chief medical officer told The Caravan he had been shot and had a deep knife wound The Quint/PTI The Caravan. Reports of the injured ranged from four (PTI) to 13 (police, to National Herald) to over 20 (The Caravan) National Herald. Injured men told The Caravan they were attacked by Thakurs The Caravan; police did not confirm the attackers' identity Claim · Injured National Herald.
The Quint reported 24 arrests; Millennium Post put the number at 25. The state announced compensation for Ashish's family: Rs 1.5 lakh according to The Quint, Rs 15 lakh according to Millennium Post. Each injured person was to get Rs 50,000 The Quint Millennium Post.
Officials suspended, internet cut
On 24 May the government suspended SSP Subhash Chandra Dubey and District Magistrate NP Singh, and transferred Divisional Commissioner NP Agarwal and DIG JK Shahi. No official reason was given; PTI reported the Chief Minister was displeased they could not control the situation PTI via Deccan Herald. Millennium Post reported that a Sub-Divisional Magistrate and a police Circle Officer were also suspended after senior officers found "dereliction of duty" Millennium Post.
The outgoing DM ordered mobile internet and messaging services suspended under Section 144 The Quint. The Centre sent four companies of the Rapid Action Force Deccan Herald, and politicians were barred from visiting Shabbirpur Millennium Post. On 26 May the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing of a petition for an SIT probe Millennium Post.
Timeline
Sadak Dudhli clash
MP and SSP injured in stone-pelting PTI.
Shabbirpur violence
One death, Dalit houses burned PTI.
Saharanpur clashes
FIR against Chandrashekhar and 250 others The Wire.
Jantar Mantar rally
Held despite refusal of permission Deccan Herald.
Second death, officials suspended
Internet cut in the district The Quint.
Chandrashekhar arrested
Held in Dalhousie PTI.
Bail, NSA, release
Freed on 14 September 2018 The Wire.
Chandrashekhar's arrest and NSA detention
A UP Special Task Force team arrested Chandrashekhar in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh, on 8 June 2017. ADG (Meerut Zone) Anand Kumar described him as the main accused, and he carried a reward of Rs 12,000. Police had set up an SIT of 10 inspectors to probe 40 cases registered between 5 and 23 May PTI via Millennium Post. His lawyer said about 40 cases had been registered against him and later merged into six National Herald.
On 2 November 2017, Justice Mukhtar Ahmed of the Allahabad High Court granted bail. His counsel argued that the FIR gave him no specific role, that he was not said to have carried a weapon, and that it was filed three days late as a "counter" to the Dalits' FIR over Shabbirpur The Wire. Scroll reported the court said the charges were politically motivated Scroll.
Before he could walk out, the state detained him under the NSA. Reports give the date as 2 or 3 November 2017 The Wire The Quint. Two Shabbirpur Dalits charged with Sumit's murder had been put under the NSA on 15 October The Wire. The High Court later dismissed his challenge to the detention, finding no illegality The Quint, and in August 2018 the Supreme Court issued notice on his petition Bar and Bench.
On 13 September 2018 the government ordered his early release "on sympathetic grounds" in view of his mother's representations and the "current situation". He walked out of jail on 14 September, and on 20 September the state told the Supreme Court the NSA had been withdrawn; the court closed his plea as "infructuous" Scroll PTI via Deccan Herald. Two others held under the NSA over Shabbirpur, Shivkumar and Sonu, were released with him The Wire.
Both accounts
Bhim Army and Dalit groups' account
Claim · Bhim Army Dalits say Thakurs assaulted them, burned their houses and desecrated their Ravidas temple in Shabbirpur Scroll, and that the state then turned on the victims. Chandrashekhar said before his arrest that "instead of arresting the real culprits of the Saharanpur violence, the police has arrested innocent people" and that the Chief Minister had "lost control" of the police PTI via Millennium Post. National Herald reported in September 2017 that 27 Dalits had been arrested and 25 granted bail National Herald. Bhim Army president Vinay Ratan Singh said in 2018 that officials had asked for the group's help to keep peace during the riots PTI via Business Standard. On release, Chandrashekhar said "the state government misused government machinery" The Wire.
Police and government account
Government's position Police held the Bhim Army responsible for the 9 May violence and named Chandrashekhar the main accused Scroll PTI via Millennium Post. Principal Home Secretary Mani Prasad Mishra called the violence a "well-planned" conspiracy, said "no innocent will be made a scape goat", and acknowledged that an 80-year-old and a 14-year-old had been named as accused Millennium Post. The state said Mayawati's visit "led to tension" on 23 May, and the Chief Minister said officials would be punished for any laxity National Herald.
Outcome
- Deaths: Two, Sumit on 5 May and Ashish Meghraj on 23 May 2017.
- Officials: SSP Love Kumar and DM Shafqat Kamal transferred in April; SSP Subhash Chandra Dubey, DM NP Singh, an SDM and a Circle Officer suspended on 24 May.
- Arrests: 17 after Shabbirpur by 12 May; 24 after 23 May; Chandrashekhar on 8 June 2017.
- Detention: Chandrashekhar held under the NSA from November 2017 to 14 September 2018; NSA withdrawn.
- Courts: Supreme Court declined an urgent SIT hearing in May 2017. No final trial verdict in the Shabbirpur or 9 May cases was found in published reports.
Where things stand
Chandrashekhar Azad later became Lok Sabha MP for Nagina. On 10 March 2025 a Saharanpur ACJM court rejected his application for discharge in the case from the 9 May 2017 FIR, which accused him of holding a meeting without permission and inciting arson. In July 2025 Justice Sameer Jain of the Allahabad High Court sent the matter back for a fresh decision Law Trend. No later ruling had been reported by October 2026.
Questions people ask
What happened in Shabbirpur on 5 May 2017?
Dalits objected to loud music in a Thakur procession for Maharana Pratap Jayanti, and stones were thrown. A Thakur man died, and Dalit houses were set on fire; counts range from 15 to 55 houses.
Why was Chandrashekhar arrested?
Police named him the main accused in the 9 May 2017 violence in Saharanpur, when vehicles and a police post were set on fire. He was arrested in Dalhousie on 8 June 2017.
How long was Chandrashekhar Azad in jail?
About 15 months. He got bail on 2 November 2017 but was detained under the NSA, and was released on 14 September 2018.
How many people came to the Jantar Mantar rally?
Deccan Herald estimated around 5,000. Organisers, quoted by Sabrang India, claimed over 50,000.
Sources
- PTI via Deccan Herald: MP, SSP injured in clash between two communities in UP, 21 Apr 2017
- The Wire: In Adityanath's Raj, police officers pay the price for enforcing the law, 30 Apr 2017
- PTI via Millennium Post: One killed, houses torched after clash in Saharanpur, 5 May 2017
- The Quint: Thakur-Dalit clash in Saharanpur claims 1 life, 6 May 2017
- Newslaundry: The third caste-based attack in Saharanpur, 12 May 2017
- Scroll: Ambedkarite 2.0, Saharanpur's Bhim Army, 13 May 2017
- Millennium Post: Massive turnout for protests at Jantar Mantar, 21 May 2017
- Deccan Herald: Thousands gather at Jantar Mantar to protest Saharanpur violence, 21 May 2017
- Sabrang India (advocacy): Dalits defy Delhi police, hold massive protest at Jantar Mantar, 22 May 2017
- The Quint: 24 arrested after fresh violence in Saharanpur claims another life, 24 May 2017
- National Herald: Saharanpur tense again, one killed after Mayawati's rally, 24 May 2017
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Yogi govt suspends DM, SSP, 24 May 2017
- Millennium Post: Saharanpur violence: 25 held, officials suspended, 24 May 2017
- The Quint: UP govt suspends SSP, DM after fresh violence, 25 May 2017
- The Caravan: Violence after a Mayawati rally kills one, 25 May 2017
- Deccan Herald: RAF rushed to Saharanpur, 26 May 2017
- Millennium Post: Saharanpur caste violence a well-planned conspiracy, 27 May 2017
- PTI via Millennium Post: Saharanpur violence accused Chandrashekhar arrested, 8 Jun 2017
- National Herald: Chandrasekhar Azad may be granted bail soon, 15 Sept 2017
- The Wire: Allahabad High Court grants bail to Bhim Army's Chandrashekhar, 2 Nov 2017
- PTI via Business Standard: Amnesty asks UP govt to release Chandrashekhar Azad, 7 Jun 2018
- Bar and Bench: Chandrashekhar challenges NSA detention, 11 Aug 2018
- Scroll: UP government orders early release of Chandrashekhar Azad, 13 Sept 2018
- The Quint: Chandrashekhar released early, 13 Sept 2018
- The Wire: After 15 months in jail, UP govt releases Chandrashekhar Azad, 14 Sept 2018
- PTI via Deccan Herald: NSA provisions withdrawn against Bhim Army founder, 20 Sept 2018
- Scroll: NSA charges against Chandrashekhar Azad withdrawn, 21 Sept 2018
- Law Trend: High Court tells trial court to decide Chandrashekhar's discharge plea afresh (Hindi), 27 Jul 2025