Tehsildar’s clash with devotees sparks uproar at Kullu Dasehra

A dramatic confrontation between Kullu Tehsildar Hari Singh Yadav and devotees (devaloos) of deity Bhrigu Rishi has cast a shadow over the famed Dasehra celebrations at Dhalpur grounds, triggering fresh criticism of the officer’s allegedly high-handed conduct.

The incident went viral after a video surfaced showing Yadav being confronted by a large group of devotees, then escorted — reportedly manhandled — to the deity’s camp, where he was seen apologising before the palanquin of Bhrigu Rishi.

According to sources, tensions had been simmering since the previous evening over an unspecified dispute between Yadav and the Dev community. Matters escalated the next afternoon during his inspection at Dhalpur when devotees, angered over the alleged slight, compelled him to seek forgiveness in public.

Though Tehsildar Yadav has not lodged a police complaint, the local administration has ordered an internal inquiry into the matter.

Banjar MLA Surender Shourie condemned Yadav’s style of functioning, linking the episode to past controversies. “Last year, during the encroachment drive, he removed deity camps despite objections. The Dev Samaj opposed him then too,” Shourie said, adding that Yadav’s conduct prompted a motion against him in the Assembly in 2024.

Shourie questioned the state government’s decision to continue Yadav’s posting in Kullu, demanding his dismissal for “misbehaving with the Dev Samaj”.

The episode has reignited debate over Yadav’s alleged “dictatorial attitude” during previous drives and underlined the fragile balance between administrative enforcement and the deeply rooted cultural-religious traditions of the Kullu Valley.