Firozabad: A BJP councillor in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad shaved her head at the municipal corporation premises on Tuesday in protest against what she alleged was discrimination in development works and neglect of civic issues in her ward.
Usha Devi Shankhwar, councillor from Ward No. 6, reached the gates of the municipal corporation and got her head tonsured after days of protest over alleged delays in civic projects in her area. The protest triggered a political row within the municipal body, with members of the contract sanitation workers’ union and some councillors extending support to her.
Following the tonsure protest, Shankhwar sat on a dharna inside the municipal corporation premises. She alleged that development works in her ward were being obstructed due to opposition from the mayor’s husband and claimed that no significant work had been carried out in the area for the past three years. Shankhwar also accused Surendra Rathore, husband of the mayor, of preventing development works in her ward.
BJP councillor Munendra Yadav joined the protest in support of her demands. Office-bearers of the contract sanitation workers’ union also joined the dharna in solidarity with the councillor.
Responding to the allegations, Municipal Commissioner Prashant Nagar termed the claims “baseless”. He said development projects worth around Rs 64 lakh had been proposed for the councillor’s ward, adding that some works had already been completed while the remaining projects were nearing completion.
The incident highlights the growing frustration among local representatives over perceived neglect of civic issues. Shankhwar's dramatic act of tonsuring her head has drawn attention to the alleged lack of development in her ward, sparking debates within the municipal body. Supporters argue that such extreme measures are necessary to highlight the plight of residents who have been waiting for basic amenities and infrastructure improvements for years.
Meanwhile, the municipal commissioner has maintained that all development works are being carried out as per schedule and that the allegations are politically motivated. He assured that the remaining projects would be completed soon, addressing the concerns raised by the councillor.
The protest has also brought to light the role of the mayor’s husband in local governance, with Shankhwar specifically naming him as an obstacle. This has added a layer of political tension to the issue, with different factions within the BJP and the municipal corporation taking sides.
As the dharna continues, other councillors and union members have expressed solidarity, indicating that the grievances may be more widespread. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by local bodies in ensuring equitable development across all wards.
