Bajrang Dal members vandalise mazar in UP’s Fatehpur; one detained for questioning

Fatehpur: Police on Wednesday detained a Bajrang Dal office bearer for vandalising an old mazar in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district, triggering tensions in the area, PTI reported.

According to police, a group of Bajrang Dal workers, led by Narendra Hindu, allegedly gathered at the shrine on Tuesday evening and damaged the structure using hammers and sticks. The shrine is believed to be several decades old.

A video purportedly showing the vandalism, along with warnings and references to Bangladesh, later surfaced on social media before being deleted, police said.

Following the video’s circulation, members of the Muslim community expressed anger, prompting authorities to deploy additional police personnel in the village. Narendra Hindu, identified as the Bajrang Dal’s Bhitaura block convenor, has been taken into custody for questioning.

Police said a detailed probe is underway, including examination of the viral video. Residents have been urged to maintain calm, and officials said the situation remains tense but under control.