Uttar Pradesh | Fishing for the boatmen

The Sarayu flows past Ayodhya, placing it squarely within the rich riverine network of Uttar Pradesh. Communities tied to that Gangetic lifeworld have always cohabited with its more hallowed denizens. Yet, a recent fish feast in town has triggered a row, and how the turbulence shapes up has acquired a special significance. At a Nishad community event—attended by UP Congress chief Ajay Rai—there was fish on the menu. This being the town of the temple, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promptly accused the Congress of hurting religious sentiments. The Congress, in turn, called it a question of food traditions and the cultural identity of riverine communities.