Krishna Mohan Maurya, The Modern Day Kabir Who Fought Against Superstition

Lucknow- In the heart of Sant Kabir Nagar, a district named after the 15th-century mystic poet who challenged religious orthodoxy, lived a man who carried forward that legacy of social reform. Krishna Mohan Maurya, much like his spiritual predecessor Kabir Das, dedicated his life to fighting superstition and casteism—until a fateful encounter with a snake cut his mission short at the age of 40.

Sant Kabir Nagar, established on September 5, 1997, by the Mayawati government, was carved out of Basti district and named after the 15th-century poet and mystic Sant Kabir Das. Kabir spent his last days in Maghar, a village in the district, where he challenged religious dogmas and blind rituals. Inspired by Kabir’s legacy, Maurya, a young man from the area, dedicated his life to raising awareness against entrenched social customs tied to religious and cultural practices.

The Mooknayak team visited Maurya's village to investigate his tragic death and understand his work. We met Professor Vikram, a History lecturer from Allahabad University, in Gorakhpur. Vikram was a key supporter of Maurya, providing him both financial and emotional assistance. He drove us to Semar Dadi village in the Dhangata block of Sant Kabir Nagar, where Maurya lived until his passing.

Assistant Professor Vikram showed us the place where Maurya worked and spent his last days—a modest, temporary straw structure. Maurya chose this humble shelter over his paternal home nearby, driven by his commitment to forgo worldly comforts for social service. The run-down settlement now lies abandoned; inside, we found his table, bed, and an old Rajdoot motorcycle, seemingly awaiting its owner. "He may have lived a simple life, but he was far from ordinary," Vikram remarked. "The media and historians have failed to give due credit to people like him who stand against these harmful practices."

A Campaign Sparked by a Personal Loss

Krishna Mohan was staunchly opposed to the tradition of Brahmbhoj, a post-death feast for Brahmins. He began his campaign against it after his father, Ramchet Maurya, passed away from a stroke on June 27, 2023. As the eldest son, he convinced his family to forgo traditional rites, burying his father without post-death rituals. Although extended family pressure led some members to follow ritual customs, the experience solidified Maurya’s resolve.

On July 9, 2023, he hosted a Smritibhoj (memorial feast) as a secular alternative, explaining it as a simple gathering devoid of Brahminical customs. Professor Vikram, who attended, recalls Maurya calling on people to stop using religious terms like Parinirvana, suggesting instead that families establish cemeteries on their own land. “It’s inhuman to force grieving families to host feasts,” Vikram recalls Maurya saying. This event set the stage for his mission, which soon spread across Sant Kabir Nagar and neighboring districts.

To advance his mission, Maurya established Samdarshi Lok Sangha, a registered trust aimed at uniting people across caste lines. Through community gatherings and village panchayats, the organization raised awareness on social issues, drawing diverse support.

Maurya’s talents extended to poetry and writing. His friend Brijbhawan Maurya, a local pharmacist, recalls, “His poems were calls for social reform, challenging superstitions.” Maurya authored two books, one of which, Samdarshi Darshan, was released posthumously by Professor Vikram. The book critiques wealth inequality, identifying priests, capitalists, and politicians as primary power centers contributing to society’s problems. His other book, Bilakhti Manavta (Suffering Humanity), addresses similar themes.

Maurya’s activism wasn’t without opposition. During an eight-day event organized by Samdarshi Lok Sangha, styled after Navratri and featuring discussions on social reformers, local elites took issue with his message. Some villagers filed complaints, accusing him of disrespecting their deities. However, Maurya defended himself, stating he was merely promoting the ideas of social reformers like Dr. Ambedkar, Periyar, and Phule. Despite resistance, his commitment earned him respect as a fearless crusader against superstition.

Fate intervened tragically when Maurya was bitten by a snake on June 1, 2024. While talking on his mobile, he felt a prick on his toe, only to spot a snake nearby. He was rushed to Khalilabad and later to the Banaras Hindu University Hospital, where doctors identified the bite as from a Russell’s viper. Despite treatment, the venom had already severely damaged his organs. Less than a year after his father’s death, Krishna Mohan Maurya passed away at the age of 40, leaving behind his mission and an unfinished battle against social ills.

Subhash Chandra Yadav, a health department worker in Basti and the current convener of Samdarshi Lok Sangha, shared that societal and familial backlash remains a challenge. He cited his own family’s experience, where he encouraged minimal rituals upon his uncle’s death. Despite Maurya’s untimely death, Yadav asserts that the movement will continue: “Our journey won’t end here. We may be in a temporary lull, but we are hopeful to continue Maurya ji’s work.”

Yadav’s optimism reflects a hope that more people will join the movement to honor Krishna Mohan Maurya’s legacy and keep his vision alive. It’s crucial that his name and work do not fade into obscurity.