In a harrowing incident, a 17-year-old boy from the Dalit community reportedly died by suicide after facing extreme violence and humiliation at a birthday party. The boy attended the gathering on December 20, where he was allegedly stripped, brutally beaten, and urinated upon by four youths. The attackers also filmed the ordeal and threatened to share the video online.
The boy’s desperate pleas to delete the video were ignored, and he was further humiliated, reportedly forced to lick his spit. Traumatised by the incident, the boy returned home and narrated the events to his parents. Shortly afterwards, he took his own life by hanging himself.
Allegations of Caste-Based Violence Surface
The victim’s death has sparked widespread outrage, with many alleging caste-based discrimination as the motive behind the attack. Several media outlets, including The New Indian Express, reported that the boy faced severe caste-based harassment. Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub also amplified this narrative by sharing an India Today report on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “But caste…”, suggesting that the perpetrators were upper-caste Hindus.
Social media erupted with claims of caste-based violence, with numerous users echoing similar sentiments. The incident was initially portrayed as yet another grim example of systemic caste-based discrimination in India.
Police Clarify the Incident
However, the Basti Police have refuted these claims, stating that both the victim and the attackers belonged to the Dalit community. Superintendent of Police (SP) Gopal Krishan Choudhary clarified that the victim and the accused knew each other personally, and there was no caste angle to the incident.
“The accused have been identified, and they too belong to the same community as the victim. This was not an act of caste-based violence. The SHO of the local police station has been suspended following allegations from the victim’s family about delayed action on their complaint,” SP Choudhary said.
The police have registered a case against the four accused individuals and are investigating whether personal enmity or other factors motivated the attack.
Misrepresentation Sparks Debate
The clarification from the police has sparked debates about the dangers of misrepresentation in sensitive cases. Critics argue that incomplete information and assumptions, such as those made by columnist Rana Ayyub, can exacerbate communal tensions and distort public discourse.
Activists have called for a thorough investigation to determine the exact motive behind the attack. “While the caste narrative in this case has been debunked, the assault and subsequent suicide highlight the urgent need for societal introspection and justice for the victim,” said a local activist.
Administrative Actions
The suspension of the local SHO underscores administrative accountability in handling such cases. The victim’s family has demanded swift justice, while the community grapples with the tragedy. Many are questioning the broader implications of unchecked violence and the psychological toll it takes on victims.
While the police’s findings indicate that this incident was not caste-based, the assault’s brutal nature and its tragic aftermath shed light on deeper societal issues. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the young boy and preventing such incidents in the future.
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