Congress criticises the BJP government claiming that the saffron party has pushed the state into lawlessness
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A seemingly innocuous altercation over the use of a borewell has claimed the life of a Dalit man in a village in Madhya Pradesh. The 28-year-old victim was reportedly beaten to death with sticks and rods by the village sarpanch and his family members. The tragic event highlights the ongoing caste-related tensions and issues of violence in rural India.
The incident happened in the Shivpuri district of the state, police sources cited by media reports reaching here said on Wednesday.
The altercation reportedly began over watering a field in Indragarh village but escalated into a fatal assault.
The victim, Narad Jatav, had come to visit his maternal uncle’s home in the village. On Tuesday evening while he was watering the fields, Sarpanch Padam Singh Dhakad arrived with his family members, namely Betal, Jaswant, Awadhesh, Ankesh, Mohar Pal, Dakha Bai, and Vimal. They allegedly began hurling abuses at Narad which soon resulted in a violent attack. Armed with sticks, the accused severely beat him, leaving him critically injured.
The victim was rushed to Shivpuri Medical College by his family, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Superintendent of Police Aman Singh Rathore confirmed that a case has been registered against eight individuals, including the sarpanch, under charges of murder. Four people have been arrested so far.
As the incident came to light, the Congress attacked the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that it had pushed the state into lawlessness.
State Congress president Jitu Patwari wrote on X in Hindi, “On one hand, the whole country is celebrating Constitution Day, people are talking about the ideas of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, and on the other hand, under BJP rule, a Dalit brother was beaten to death with sticks. Today, the BJP rule has become synonymous with exploitation and atrocities on Dalits. The state’s home minister is holidaying abroad, and the mafia flourishing under his protection.”
The incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of laws meant to protect marginalised communities and address caste-based violence. Despite legal safeguards like the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, incidents of caste-based discrimination and violence persist, particularly in rural areas.
The incident also brings attention to the unequal access to resources such as water, which often becomes a flashpoint in caste-ridden communities.
