Promoting Hypocrisy”: FIR Against Bareilly Teacher for Kawad Poem Sparks Outrage, Says – ‘Time for Intellectuals to Speak Up

UP, July16,2025

Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh:
A teacher in Bareilly has landed in serious trouble after reciting a poem about the ongoing Kawad Yatra. The poem, which went viral on social media, triggered strong backlash from Hindu right-wing groups. Following multiple complaints, an FIR was lodged against the teacher, Rajnish Gangwar, who has now responded with sharp criticism of the government, accusing it of encouraging blind faith while ignoring education.

Rajnish, visibly upset, stated:

“The government is promoting superstition. They are shutting down schools but opening liquor shops. Intellectuals must rise and speak out against this fascist mindset.”

What exactly happened?

Rajnish Gangwar, a teacher at a local college in Bareilly, recited a poem during a student gathering that said:

“Don’t go fetching the Kawad, light the lamp of knowledge instead.
Serve humanity and become a true human being.”

In the same poem, he added that “carrying a Kawad doesn’t make you a DM, SP, or any top officer.”
This message, though poetic and metaphorical, didn’t sit well with several right-wing groups, especially since it coincided with the holy month of Sawan, when the Kawad Yatra is in full swing. Accusing him of disrespecting religious sentiments, complaints were filed with the police.

Police Registers Case, Action Begins

Once the complaints poured in, police acted quickly and filed an FIR against Gangwar. Reacting to the developments, he said:

“My poem was written for young students to emphasize the importance of education. What we’re seeing during this yatra are reports of violence and substance abuse. I simply wanted to guide children away from that path and toward learning. I had no wrong intentions.”

“I Never Mentioned Any Religion” – Rajnish Gangwar

Gangwar, who identifies himself as a poet and writer, defended his stand by saying:

“I’ve written and recited poems before. This one too was creative in nature, meant to send a positive message through literature. At no point did I mention any religion.”

He went on to allege that those filing complaints against him were motivated by personal jealousy, not genuine religious hurt.

From Poetry to Politics

What started as a short poem has now sparked a larger debate—one that questions the balance between freedom of expression and religious sensitivity.

The case has become a flashpoint in conversations around education vs ritualism, superstition vs progress, and poetry vs punishment.

As legal proceedings move forward, all eyes are now on how the administration handles the delicate matter of dissent and expression.