BJP workers set themselves on fire while attempting to burn Akhilesh Yadav’s effigy during protest in Hardoi

A BJP protest in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, took a fiery turn on Saturday when some party workers accidentally set themselves on fire while burning an effigy of former chief minister and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav. The incident took place after protesters set a piece of paper on fire, injuring several of them.

BJP workers staged a protest against the recent remarks of former Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on religious leaders and mafias on Saturday. During the protest, BJP workers burnt an effigy of Yadav and several protesters were caught in the flames. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

According to reports, BJP workers gathered at Cinema Chauraha in Hardoi to burn an effigy of Akhilesh Yadav. However, police who reached the spot quickly doused the flames.

The viral video shows some protesters chanting slogans like “Akhilesh Yadav murdabaad (Down with Akhilesh Yadav)” as they attempt to set fire to papers. Some protesters were caught in the flames. The video captures the chaos as protesters rush to douse the flames and police intervene to bring the situation under control. At one point, a police officer’s leg caught fire as he tried to douse the flames.

The protest was sparked by a statement made by Akhilesh Yadav, in which he said, “There is no difference between religious leaders and mafias.” The remark led to political tension, which led to BJP youth organisations in Hardoi burning Yadav’s statue at Cinema Chauraha as a form of protest, following the directives of the party leadership.