Dalit youth brutally assaulted in Uttar Pradesh over caste identity
Lucknow: A shocking incident of caste-based violence has come to light in Bharthana town in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh state, where a young man from the Dalit community was publicly humiliated and assaulted by a group of Hindutva men.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the victim, identified as Sumit Diwakar, filed a formal complaint with the police, recounting the harrowing ordeal. Diwakar said that he was stopped by three men—Nandan Gupta, Laddu Gupta, and Satyendra Kumar—while walking through the Rani Nagar locality in Bharthana. The attackers, residents of Purana Bharthana Mohalla, subjected him to verbal abuse, hurling casteist slurs at him. They then forced him to assume the “murga” (rooster) posture in the middle of a road, a humiliating stance commonly used in bullying. The assault escalated with physical beatings, and the attackers even threatened to kill him.
In a further act of cruelty, the perpetrators recorded the incident on video, which was later shared widely on social media, drawing outrage and sparking discussions about caste-based violence in the region.
Following the victim’s complaint and the viral spread of the video, Bharthana police have registered a case, though local residents express concerns over the slow pace of action. Many in the Dalit community have voiced their fear and frustration, as the incident has deepened concerns about caste discrimination and the apparent lack of accountability for such violence.
Activists and community leaders are calling for swift justice, demanding the immediate arrest of all accused. They also urge the state government to ensure the safety and protection of the victim, as well as a broader commitment to tackling caste-based violence.
The incident has underscored the deep-rooted nature of casteism in Indian society and the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect marginalized communities.
