Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, August 6, 2025 – A controversial order from Uttar Pradesh’s Panchayati Raj Department has ignited a firestorm, with accusations of caste and religious bias prompting swift action from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Issued on August 2, the directive targeting illegal encroachments on village land singled out specific communities, leading to widespread criticism and its immediate withdrawal. Here’s the latest on this unfolding issue.
The order, issued by the Panchayati Raj office in Ballia, instructed district officials to remove encroachments from Gram Sabha land across UP’s 57,691 village panchayats, but it controversially named only members of the Yadav caste and Muslim community. The directive went viral on social media on August 4, triggering outrage from opposition leaders and citizens alike. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called it a reflection of the government’s divisive mindset, while UP Congress chief Ajay Rai demanded harsh penalties for the officials responsible, citing violations of constitutional principles of equality.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath acted quickly, suspending the joint director, SN Singh, late on August 4 and ordering the order’s cancellation. In a statement, Yogi called the directive “completely discriminatory and unacceptable,” emphasizing that actions against encroachments must be fair and not based on caste or religion. He labeled the incident a serious administrative failure and warned officials against repeating such mistakes.
The controversy has reignited debates about the state of UP’s Panchayati Raj system, which oversees rural governance through a three-tier structure of Gram Panchayats, Kshetra Panchayats, and Zila Panchayats. Critics argue that the system, meant to empower local democracy, is plagued by inefficiencies and political interference. A 2013 report highlighted that 18,000 of UP’s 51,914 Gram Panchayats lack basic infrastructure, and staffing shortages hinder effective governance. This incident has further eroded trust, with opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of using administrative orders to target specific communities.
The state government is now under pressure to restore confidence. Yogi has directed officials to ensure future actions are transparent and lawful. Meanwhile, the opposition is pushing for a CBI investigation to uncover the origins of the biased order, with some alleging it was a deliberate attempt to stir division ahead of upcoming elections. As the issue unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring fair governance and preventing such lapses in a system meant to uplift rural communities.
