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Fatehpur (UP), Oct 17 (IANS) Amid high drama and tight security, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday met the family of Hariom Valmiki – the Dalit man who was recently lynched over theft charges in UP’s Rae Bareli – and assured them of all possible assistance.
After spending about half an hour with the family, Rahul Gandhi told media persons, “A few days ago a Dalit officer committed suicide. I went there and today I have come here. The crime was not committed by this family – the crime was committed against them. Yet it seems they are being treated like criminals. They have been locked inside their houses, intimidated, and all they are doing is demanding justice.”
The senior Congress leader said that the family is living under pressure. “Their son and brother have been murdered. They are just demanding justice. And yet, they are not allowed to step out of their house. Inside is a young girl who needs surgery, but she cannot get the operation done because the government has imprisoned her,” he alleged.
Urging the Uttar Pradesh government to take prompt action, Gandhi said, “Dalits are facing atrocities across the country – murders, rapes are being committed against them. I want to tell the Chief Minister – give justice to this family, treat them with dignity and take strict action against the real culprits. Stop shielding the criminals.”
When asked about a video that surfaced earlier in the day in which the family appeared unwilling to meet him, he dismissed the controversy. “You saw it yourself – the family met me and talked to me for half an hour. They told me that government officials had threatened them this morning, warned them not to meet me. But that’s not the point. The real issue is that these people have done nothing wrong. Their son was killed, and the culprits must face justice.”
Gandhi said that Congress will stand with the Dalit families facing injustice. He said, “Wherever Dalits are oppressed in this country, the Congress party will be there. We will raise our voice for them and fight for justice.”
The Congress leader’s visit earlier in the day created political tension in Fatehpur. Posters were seen along the route of his convoy urging leaders not to politicize the incident. The posters, reportedly put up by local groups, read: “Please no politics. We are satisfied with the government’s action.”
Congress workers later tore down many of these posters and alleged that the administration had forced the family to make such statements.
Ultimately, amidst heavy police presence, Gandhi met Valmiki’s family at their residence, heard their grievances and assured them that his party would stand with them in the pursuit of justice.
–IANS
SKP/CEO