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UP minister Sanjay Nishad’s Ballia ‘dalal’ remark stokes row, Karni Sena demands FIR against him

The outfit's district president terms the minister's statement an attempt 'defame the land of martyrs'

2 min readLucknowUpdated: Dec 2, 2025 11:20 AM IST

NISHAD Party leader and state minister Sanjay Nishad’s call to gherao the UP Assembly if these communities’ demand for reservation were not met with attention.

NISHAD Party leader and UP minister Sanjay Nishad. (X)

A statement Uttar Pradesh minister and NISHAD Party chief Sanjay Nishad made on November 29 over Ballia “middlemen” has sparked a controversy, with local organisations staging protests and demanding registration of an FIR against him.

Addressing party workers at a workshop for the preparations for Assembly elections, Nishad had said, “Yeh Ballia hai, yahan ke log angrezon ke dalal the. Aur dalali ka system chalta raha hai abhi bhi. Isliye Balia bhi barbad hai. (This is Ballia where people acted as middlemen for the British and this system is prevalent till date. Because of this Ballia has been ruined).”

“Otherwise, it was the land of rebels that drew the British away and helped the country attain freedom,” he added.

Hitting out at the minister over his remarks, Karni Sena’s district president Kamlesh Singh said, “Those who themselves sell Ballia are trying to defame the place which is the land of martyrs. If I happen to meet him, I will snip his tongue for his remarks and if I am unable to do it, I would ask the youth of Ballia to do it for me. Whoever does it will be given Rs 5 lakh reward and I will also help him fight a legal case free of cost.”

“I will not tolerate any humiliation and disrespect of Ballia,” he added.

According to sources, local organisations staged a protest on Monday demanding an FIR against Nishad. They also tried to burn his effigy and police had to intervene to bring the situation under control.

Former Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly and veteran Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gobind Chaudhary said, “The minister (Nishad) should first gain knowledge before speaking anything about Ballia. Ballia was among the first few places in India to have attained freedom from the British rule. Such foul language against Ballia and that, too, from a minister is condemnable.”

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Nishad could not be reached for comments on the matter.

Maulshree Seth

Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development. Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity. Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More

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