Watch: Former UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya slapped in Rae Bareli by Karni Sena activist, video goes viral

Former Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and Lok Morcha chief Swami Prasad Maurya was allegedly slapped by a Karni Sena worker on Wednesday while he was on his way to Fatehpur. The incident took place at Saras Crossing during a brief welcome organised by his local supporters.

Police said the accused approached Maurya pretending to greet him with a garland but suddenly slapped him from behind. Supporters of Maurya caught the individual and thrashed him before police intervened.

Police detain two for questioning

Circle Officer (Sadar) Amit Singh told PTI Videos, "In the crowd of the supporters, there were two people who held garlands in their hands and misbehaved with him," adding that both individuals were taken into custody and are being questioned.


A video of the alleged incident has gone viral on social media platforms. Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the attacker or any organisational affiliation as of now.

Maurya blames Karni Sena and state government

Reacting to the attack, Maurya blamed the Karni Sena and alleged that it enjoys political protection. “The goons of this organisation are wreaking havoc on law and order in the state under the patronage of the ruling regime,” he said.

He further claimed the state government remains silent because of caste links. “A few insects from Karni Sena repeatedly trample over the law, but since they belong to the same community as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government remains silent against such mafia elements,” Maurya told reporters.

Calls Karni Sena anarchic, pledges political fight

Maurya also described Karni Sena as a lawless group. “If goons can carry out such attacks in the presence of police, one can only imagine what they are capable of when police are absent,” he said.

He announced that Lok Morcha will contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections with the slogan 'BJP Hatao, UP Bachao' (Remove BJP, Save UP).