Despite filing a complaint two days ago, no case has been registered, and the alleged perpetrators from the dominant Awasthi family in Lakhimpur Kheri remain free
NEW DELHI – A Dalit family in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district has publicly threatened to take their own lives if an FIR is not registered within 24 hours, following a horrific caste-based assault. The family claims they were forcibly abducted, locked in a room, and brutally beaten by a group of approximately 40 upper-caste individuals, reportedly associated with the Bajrang Dal, during a wedding ceremony on March 10.
Despite filing a complaint two days ago, no case has been registered, and the alleged perpetrators from the dominant Awasthi family remain free. Disturbing details of the assault include casteist abuses, a woman being dragged by her hair and stomped upon, and her son being humiliated to the point where his clothes reeked of urine.
While police intervened to rescue the family from the locked room, they reportedly made no arrests and failed to register an FIR. Both the victim’s family and Bhim Army State Coordinator Dr Kuldeep Bhargava accuse the Tikunia police station in-charge of pressuring the family for a compromise and actively shielding the accused, whose alleged ties to the Bajrang Dal are believed to be influencing police reluctance.
A video detailing the attack and the family’s desperate plea for justice quickly went viral on Sunday, leading to widespread social media outrage and demands for immediate action from the UP Police and the Director General of Police, a report in The Observer Post said
The Bhim Army has warned of protests, with District General Secretary Advocate Deepak Jatav stating that his party will march to the SP office if justice is denied. They demand the immediate registration of an FIR under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, an impartial investigation, and security for the affected family. Dr Bhargava condemned the incident as a clear case of upper-caste aggression and slammed the failure to register an FIR as a grave injustice.
Amid the mounting pressure, Kheri Police have responded online, stating that the Tikunia in-charge inspector has been directed to take necessary action, though confirmation of an FIR and arrests is still pending.
Caste-based violence in India involves systemic atrocities against Dalit and marginalised communities, often perpetrated by dominant caste groups to maintain social hierarchy. Reports indicate a high incidence of sexual violence against Dalit women, used for intimidation, and violence is frequently linked to disputes over land, resources, and social rights.
Atrocities are often committed by land-holding castes, such as Jats in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, Rajputs and Bhumihars in Bihar, and Vanniyars and Thevars in Tamil Nadu.
