Dalit man brutally murdered in Madhya Pradesh over borewell dispute
Bhopal: In a shocking act of caste-based violence, a Dalit man was beaten to death in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the 28-year-old victim, identified as Narad Jatav, was reportedly beaten to death with sticks and rods by the village sarpanch and his family members in Indragarh village of the Shivpuri district of the state. The attack, which stemmed from a dispute over the use of a borewell, underscores the persistence of caste tensions and violence in rural India.
Jatav, who had come to visit his maternal uncle’s home in the village, was watering fields when he encountered the village sarpanch, Padam Singh Dhakad, and his family. What began as a verbal altercation quickly escalated when the sarpanch and his relatives began abusing Jatav. The situation rapidly turned violent as the assailants armed with with sticks and rods, severely beat the young man.
Despite being rushed to Shivpuri Medical College in critical condition, Jatav succumbed to his injuries. Police have confirmed that a murder case has been registered against eight individuals, including the sarpanch, with Superintendent of Police Aman Singh Rathore stating that the investigation is ongoing.
The brutal killing has drawn widespread condemnation, with opposition parties saying that the state government was fostering an environment of lawlessness. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari condemned the attack, blaming the ruling BJP for the increasing prevalence of caste-based violence in the state. Patwari remarked that under the current government, the state had descended into a “state of lawlessness,” where such horrific acts are allowed to continue unchecked.
The murder of Narad Jatav is part of a disturbing pattern of violence against Dalits in rural India, where members of the community often face brutal attacks and discrimination, particularly at the hands of upper caste Hindus. The incident also highlights the deeply entrenched caste prejudices that continue to shape social interactions and contribute to violence in many parts of India.
