The 2016 Mathura Clashes: A Deadly Uprising in Jawahar Bagh

On June 2, 2016, a serene public park in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, transformed into the scene of a lethal clash between squatters and law enforcement. At the conclusion of the day, 24 squatters and two police officers had lost their lives, uncovering a strange and troubling story of a self-styled revolutionary faction headed by Ram Vriksh Yadav.

The Emergence of a Concurrent Administration

In 2014, an armed faction called Swadheen Bharat Vidhik Satyagrahi seized Jawahar Bagh Park led by Ram Vriksh Yadav, a previous adherent of Jai Gurudev. In a span of more than two years, they turned the park into a sort of republic, featuring its own constitution, judiciary, legal codes, and a self-sufficient community. Their requests were as unusual as they were extreme: a complete transformation of India’s political structure, eliminating roles such as Prime Minister and President, and substituting the rupee with a currency from the “Azad Hind Bank.”

Even though they were aware of the group’s heavily armed and extremist characteristics, local authorities were reluctant to intervene. Claims emerged that Yadav’s political ties provided him with safeguarding, enabling the group to strengthen their stance and persuade the community.

The Clash

In May 2016, the Allahabad High Court instructed the removal of the squatters. On June 2, authorities entered the park to implement the decision. What ensued was pure mayhem. Heavily armed…