MEERUT: A quiet revolution is unfolding in Uttar Pradesh, where rituals often tread the delicate line between tradition and burden. Following Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav’s decision to forgo the terhavi – the customary thirteenth-day mourning ritual – for his father and party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, the winds of change are speedily sweeping through the Yadav community.
The terhavi, a solemn Hindu rite, traditionally signifies the end of the mourning period. Rooted in spiritual significance, it involves pind daan (offerings for the soul), donations to the needy, and an elaborate feast. Over time, however, it has evolved into an economic albatross for poorer families. The Samajwadi stronghold of Saifai, Mulayam’s hometown, had already begun questioning the practice. Now, Akhilesh’s endorsement has emboldened Yadav families across Uttar Pradesh to abandon this age-old tradition.
Vinay Yadav, a 32-year-old resident of Saifai, was among the first to take inspiration. “Mulayam Singh Yadav is our tallest figure,” he said. “By not performing the terhavi, his family has set a moral benchmark. We see it as our duty to follow in his footsteps. Netaji’s example silences critics during debates on this ritual.”
For Vinay’s family and many others, the decision is more than symbolic. “In my family, we’ve stopped observing it,” he added. “Why should we go into debt for a practice even our leaders reject?”
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, speaking to TOI, contextualised the move. “Netaji always championed reforms. Not performing the terhavi was in line with his ideology. If his followers adopt this, it is the greatest tribute to his legacy.”
The ripple effects of this decision have been profound. Manoj Yadav, a 49-year-old Prayagraj-based lawyer, recalled the backlash he faced when he chose not to perform the terhavi for his elder brother. “Earlier, priests used to prey on our fears, telling us that pind daan was essential for the soul’s peace,” Manoj Yadhav explained. “Netaji’s decision has empowered us to challenge such exploitative narratives. Now, when people pressure us, we can point to Mulayam Singh’s example.”
The movement to challenge these social norms isn’t new. In the late 1970s, Darshan Singh Yadav, a close associate of Mulayam, began advocating for the abolition of costly practices like the terhavi. But progress was slow, as the ritual’s religious undertones and societal pressures made it difficult to discard.
Neeraj Yadav, who runs an NGO in Etawah, spoke of the financial strain the ritual imposes. “For marginalised communities, terhavi expenses often meant borrowing money at high interest rates, plunging families into debt,” he said. “The ritual, though spiritual on the surface, became economic exploitation. Netaji and my father opposed it. Now, thanks to Mulayam Singh’s family’s decision, the movement has gained much-needed momentum.”
The impact is felt even in places like Mainpuri, where tradition often runs deep. Bobby Yadav, 51, described how his family abandoned the terhavi after his cousin’s death. “Netaji’s example gave us courage to say no. It has become a shield against criticism,” he said.
Yet, resistance persists. In villages like Bhadra in Prayagraj, some families initially resisted abandoning the ritual, clinging to the belief that it was essential for the deceased’s soul.
Social activist and teacher Ram Charan Yadav recalled how he convinced villagers to cancel a planned terhavi. “We reminded them of Mulayam Singh’s example and explained that it was a noble stand,” he said. “Since his death, we’ve prevented over 2,000 terhavis. It’s an old disease, and it takes time to heal, but the tide is turning.”
For a community whose identity is deeply intertwined with Mulayam Singh’s legacy, this shift is a testament to the late leader’s enduring influence. “Although he passed away in 2022 at the age of 82, his vision for progress continues to resonate,” said a cousin of the departed SP leader.
“Netaji’s ideology was always about uplifting the poor and dismantling social evils,” Akhilesh said. “His family’s choice not to perform the terhavi is a reminder that true respect for tradition lies in adapting it to serve the people, not oppress them.”
