Dalit youngster assaulted, forced to lick shoes in UP
Lucknow: A Dalit youngster was brutally assaulted and forced to lick shoes in the BJP-ruled Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a group of upper-caste Hindutva men brutally assaulted a Dalit youth and forced him to lick their shoes. They also tore down a photograph of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Hamirpur district.
The victim, Umesh Babu, who hails from Simnaudi village, was attacked when he went to the market, where he was first verbally abused before the accused turned violent. The Hindutva members, including Abhay Singh and two unidentified individuals, hurled casteist slurs at him and beat him severely, leaving one of his hands fractured.
Despite the victim repeatedly reporting the ordeal to the police, no FIR was registered initially. Umesh said, “I approached the police many times, but they ignored me.”
It was only after 12 days and the intervention of Superintendent of Police Dr. Deeksha Sharma that the police finally lodged a complaint against the accused. Sumerpur Station House Officer Anup Singh stated, “We have registered a case after receiving a complaint from the victim, and an investigation has been initiated.”
Meanwhile, Dalit organizations have condemned the police for delaying the FIR. They have demanded a fair investigation and strict action against both the accused and the policemen who refused to register the complaint.
