A political altercation turned violent in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh, where Mahendra Rajbhar, the national president of the Suheldev Swabhiman Party, was publicly assaulted during a Bhoomi Pujan ceremony marking Maharaja Suheldev’s Vijay Diwas. The dramatic incident, which occurred in Nahora Ashapur village under Jalalpur police station limits, has sparked a political row and gone viral across social media platforms.

According to a widely circulated video, Brijesh Rajbhar, a former associate of Mahendra, was seen first placing a garland around Mahendra’s neck before suddenly slapping him multiple times in front of a gathered audience. The incident took place when Mahendra, who was the chief guest at the event, was about to address the crowd.

Who is Mahendra Rajbhar?

Mahendra Rajbhar is an Indian politician and the national president of the Suheldev Swabhiman Party (SSP), a regional political outfit in Uttar Pradesh. He gained prominence as a founding member of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), led by Om Prakash Rajbhar, before parting ways with the party in 2022.

Speaking to the press following the incident, Mahendra Rajbhar accused Brijesh of acting on the instructions of Om Prakash Rajbhar, the president of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party and a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government. “I was the chief guest at the Bhoomi Pujan event in the Jalalpur police station area. At the end of the event, when it was my turn to speak, Brijesh Rajbhar garlanded me and assaulted me,” Mahendra stated.

Brijesh, on the other hand, offered a contrasting version of events. He denied the accusations and claimed that the confrontation arose from personal and political grievances. “We were celebrating Maharaja Suheldev’s Vijay Diwas when Mahendra Rajbhar showed up. During our conversation on various topics, he suddenly started abusing me,” he said. Brijesh also alleged that Mahendra had received support from the Samajwadi Party, suggesting the incident was linked to deeper political tensions.

Political Fuels Escalated Soon After the Incident

The altercation drew swift reactions from political figures. Samajwadi Party leader and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav condemned the attack, describing it as emblematic of growing hostility toward backward communities under the BJP’s leadership. In a tweet, he remarked, “The violent attack on the elderly and senior leader Shri Mahendra Rajbhar ji is another reprehensible example of the ever-increasing humiliating behavior and atrocities on the ‘PDA society’ under the BJP rule. If the BJP thinks that it will maintain its divisive politics by breaking a society from within, then it is its misunderstanding.”

Akhilesh further said, “Violence is a form of frustration. BJP should remember that such acts will not break the morale of PDA but will make it even more powerful.”

In a sharp rebuttal, Arun Rajbhar, the national general secretary of the Subhaspa, criticised Akhilesh’s remarks and attempted to shift the blame. He posted, “The one who hit is your man, the one who is getting hit is also your man, the reason for hitting is also being told in the video. Perhaps you are not able to hear it, listen to it carefully and you will get the answer.” His comments hinted at internal disputes within opposition parties.

Arun Rajbhar continued, demanding clarity on the nature of the alleged financial issues raised in the confrontation. “Perhaps in this fight, the party is being said #Banayi Hum Tu #Katba Malai, after all which goods are being discussed, is it the same goods which were given for the program of Indira Gandhi Pratishthan.”

Mahendra Rajbhar Files Complaint Against Brijesh

Following the incident, Mahendra Rajbhar filed a police complaint against Brijesh. Authorities confirmed that an investigation is underway and that both political and personal angles are being considered.

Mahendra Rajbhar, once a founding member of Om Prakash Rajbhar’s Subhaspa, broke ties in 2021 and later established the Suheldev Swabhiman Party. On May 2 this year, he officially joined the Samajwadi Party a move that appears to have added fuel to the political friction between the involved parties.

As the police continue their inquiry, the viral video remains at the center of a brewing political storm in Uttar Pradesh, raising questions about security, factionalism, and the intensity of intra-community rivalries in regional politics.