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New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) Amidst huge uproar, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday met the family of Dalit Hariom Valmiki, who was brutally beaten to death in Rae Bareli recently, and expressed solidarity with their grief.
There were reports that the family refused to meet Rahul Gandhi and said that they were satisfied with the government’s action. Some posters were also put up on the roads through which Rahul Gandhi had to pass. The posters said that there should be no politics on this issue. Congress party members tore the posters and said that the family members were forced to give statements under government pressure.
Later, Hariom Valmiki’s family finally met Rahul Gandhi amid heavy police presence.
Rahul Gandhi posted on his social media platform ‘X’, “The brutal murder of Hariom Valmiki has shaken the conscience of the entire country. There was a painful question in the eyes of his family. Is it a crime to be a Dalit in this country? The administration in Uttar Pradesh is engaged in intimidating the victim’s family. They even tried to stop the family from meeting me. This is the same failure of the system, which happens every time.” A shield for the criminals and puts the victim in the dock.”
He said, “Justice cannot be kept under house arrest. The BJP government must end the pressure on the victim’s family and ensure strictest punishment to the culprits. I stand firmly with Hariom Valmiki’s family and every exploited, deprived and vulnerable citizen of the country. This fight is not just for Hariom – it is for every voice that refuses to bow before injustice.”
The Congress party also shared the same post on its X handle.
After meeting the victim’s family, Gandhi condemned the incident and said, “What happened to Hariom Valmiki is a serious crime against the Constitution of this country. Such a poor ideology is a stain on the society. We will continue to fight against this injustice and oppression. This country will not be run by Manuwad, but by Baba Saheb’s Constitution.”
The lynching of a Dalit youth in Rae Bareli sparked widespread outrage and turned into a major political controversy. The city’s top police officer said five accused have been arrested, more suspects are still under investigation and are expected to be detained once their involvement is established.
This incident has sparked a political war. Congress has accused the UP government of protecting the culprits. The government has denied the allegations and said that prompt action has been taken.
Earlier, on October 7, the Congress party had condemned the “brutal murder” of the Dalit youth, calling it a “stain” on the country and a “deep question mark on the collective morality” of Indian society.
The victim, Hariom, was allegedly beaten to death with sticks and belts by a group of locals after they mistakenly thought he was a thief.
–IANS
JK/SKP