UP: Dalit farmer allegedly forced to drink urine; four arrested
What's the story
In a shocking incident, a Dalit from Badaun district, Uttar Pradesh, alleged he was forced to drink urine by upper caste men after he refused to harvest their fields. The Uttar Pradesh police have arrested four accused, reports The Hindu. The Uttar Pradesh SC/ST commission wrote to Additional Director-General (ADG), Bareilly zone to look into the matter on urgent basis.
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Relevant Sections of SC/ST Act evoked in complaint
The four arrested men have been identified as Vijay Singh, Shailendra Singh, Vikram Singh and Pinku Singh. They are all residents of Azampur Visauriya village. The victim's allegations were supported by his wife, parents, and younger brother. A case was filed under Sections 308, 342, 332, 504 and 506 of the IPC. Few Sections of the SC/ST Act were also evoked in the complaint.
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Upper caste men dragged victim, tied him to neem tree
The victim, Sitaram Valmiki, said few upper caste men asked him to harvest their field, but he refused them. He went on to collect fodder for himself. Angry over his defiance, the men dragged him and tied him to a neem tree. "They pulled out my moustache and made me drink urine as shoes and slippers came raining down on me," said Valmiki.
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Valmiki alleges humiliation, upper-caste villagers tell different story
DK Thakur, IG, Bareilly said upper caste villagers claimed Valmiki took money from the accused to harvest their farms. They said he was beaten after he refused them. This theory was even supported by villagers belonging to the victim's caste. However, Thakur said they might have made the statements succumbing to the pressure of upper caste villagers.
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Medical examination to ascertain if Valmiki was humiliated
Thakur told he has directed the investigating officer to conduct a medical examination "...to confirm whether the hairs of his moustache were pulled out or not." SSP Badaun Ashok Kumar suspended a station officer for denying to lodge an FIR when police van brought the victim to the police station on April 23. However, on the day of the incident, Valmiki didn't allege humiliation.