“We Are Pundits, You Are a Rat”: Dalit Youth Alleges Caste Abuse, Threats in Delhi’s Mehrauli
A serious case of alleged caste-based abuse and police negligence has emerged from the Mehrauli area of Delhi, where a Dalit youth, Vipin Kumar Duggal, has accused an unidentified man of publicly hurling casteist slurs and attempting to assault him. The victim claims that despite providing video evidence and details of the accused’s vehicle, the Delhi Police has not registered an FIR even several days after the incident. According to the complaint, the incident took place on May 10, 2026, around 5:35 pm, when Vipin Kumar was returning home on his motorcycle from Duggal Market. He said the altercation began near the residence of former mayor Satbir Singh after a dispute involving rash driving. “We are Pundits, You Are a Rat”: Casteist Slurs Alleged The victim alleges that the man riding a black Hero Splendor motorcycle (registration number DL3SFP1057) became aggressive after a minor road argument and began abusing him using caste-based remarks. Vipin Kumar claimed the accused pushed him and shouted derogatory slurs, saying, “I know you… we are Pundits, you are a rat… yes I am telling you,” as per the complaint. When the victim started recording the incident on his mobile phone, the accused allegedly threatened him, claiming to be an army personnel and saying that the police could not take action against him. Complaint Filed, But FIR Not Registered, Says Victim The victim immediately contacted the police helpline number 112 and later reached Mehrauli police station, where he submitted a written complaint (DD No. 145A). He alleged that instead of immediate action, the accused also arrived at the police station with associates and tried to pressure him, even misbehaving on the premises before leaving. Despite submitting vehicle details and the accused’s mobile number, the victim claims that no FIR has been registered so far. He further alleged that the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Naveen Kumar, has not responded properly and avoided taking action even after repeated follow-ups. Repeated Police Visits and Escalation to Authorities Frustrated by what he described as police inaction, Vipin Kumar sent emails on May 12 to the DCP (South), ACP (Mehrauli), and SHO concerned, seeking immediate intervention. He also filed a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), alleging violation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim further claimed that when he revisited the police station, the SHO denied knowledge of the case, even though several days had passed since the complaint was filed. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kanpur: Dalit teenager given horrific punishment for touching a bucket of water, made to lick spit on shoes.
In Sachendi, Kanpur, a thirsty Scheduled Caste teenager touched a bucket of water belonging to a youth of a higher caste. A young man, along with his brother and two friends, brutally assaulted the teenager. Kanpur: A shocking incident has come to light from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In Sachendi, a young man, along with his brother and two friends, brutally assaulted the teenager. According to reports, a Dalit teenager was made to lick spit on his shoes, then forced to drink water from the same shoes. Furthermore, he was stripped naked and severely beaten. The teenager suffered a fractured hand. When people intervened, he was released. Based on the complaint filed by the victim’s father, the police have registered a case against the four accused under various sections of the SC/ST Act and have begun investigating the matter. Learn about the case According to villagers, the teenager was working in the fields on the night of May 2nd. He felt thirsty. One of the accused approached the government water tank in front of Sanjay’s house, where a bucket and a jug were kept. The teenager began drinking water from it. Here’s the allegation The allegation is that accused Sanjay, his brother Deepak, and friends Sagar and Patia began hurling casteist abuses at him. They then stripped him and made him stand in the ‘murga’ position. They beat him with sticks and kicked him, resulting in a broken arm. The accused didn’t stop there. They made the teenager lick spit from their shoes and drink water from the same shoes. Seeing this, a crowd of villagers gathered. They intervened and calmed the situation. The accused fled the scene. Investigation underway The victim’s father has filed a case against the four men. Sachendi Inspector Dinanath said that a case has been filed against the four men. The matter is being investigated and further action will be taken. Curated by: Vishal Choubey About the Author Vishal Choubey works for Navbharat Times Online. Vishal covers politics, crime, governance, and other issues in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He has four years of experience in journalism. He joined Navbharat Times Online in April 2025. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit man beaten, threatened with bulldozer attack: Violent men assaulted in connection with missing teenager’s case
In Mahoba, a Dalit man was brutally beaten and threatened with a bulldozer attack on his home in connection with a missing teenager’s case. It is alleged that the victim’s family did not receive justice from the police; instead, they were assaulted and evidence destroyed. This incident occurred in Salarpur village, under the Srinagar police station area of Mahoba district. The victim, Devidin Ahirwar, and his nephew, Satish, are wandering from door to door seeking justice. It is alleged that on May 10, some village bullies forcibly dragged Devidin from his home. The bullies’ son had disappeared from the house, taking jewelry and two lakh rupees with him. They suspected the Dalit family of the crime, as Devidin’s 14-year-old son was a friend of the missing boy. It is alleged that the bullies held Devidin hostage in a house on the farm and beat him with kicks and punches. The victim was insulted with casteist slurs. An illegal pistol was pointed at their chest and they threatened to kill the entire family and demolish their home if the boy and money were not returned within eight days. When the victim’s elderly father and nephew Satish tried to intervene, the men did not spare them and assaulted them as well. The role of the police in this case is also under question. It is alleged that when the victim arrived at the Srinagar police station on the orders of the Superintendent of Police, the area in-charge abused and assaulted him, and forcibly deleted the video of the assault, which was on his mobile phone, as evidence. The victim’s family is now pleading for justice at the Superintendent of Police’s office. The video of the assault is also going viral on social media. The victim’s family maintains that they are completely innocent and now live in fear, demanding justice. Meanwhile, Srinagar police station in-charge Jaichandra stated that the police had gone to Devidin’s house to investigate the disappearance of one of the victims’ sons. During this time, an argument broke out between the two parties, which later escalated into a dispute. Necessary action has been taken at the police station level, and an investigation into the entire incident is ongoing. Irfan Khan Pathan | Mahoba Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit family blocked from drawing water from government hand pump: Violent individuals also blocked the road, police investigating
A case has come to light in the Hargaon police station area of Sitapur district where a Dalit family was prevented from drawing water from a government hand pump. In Pandit Purva, a hamlet of Sarawa Gram Panchayat, members of another community are accused of preventing the Dalit family from drawing water and blocking the path to the hand pump. Villager Ramkumar stated in a police application that some influential members of the village prevented him from drawing water from the hand pump. They had placed logs and blocked the path to the hand pump. According to Ramkumar, the influential individuals also threatened to prevent any Hindu from drawing water. The victim, Ramkumar, has appealed to the police for justice in this matter. Basant Kumar, in-charge of the Ramnagar outpost in Hargaon, stated that he was unaware of the incident. He assured them that he would immediately investigate the matter and take necessary action. Vinay Kumar Singh | Hargaon, Sitapur Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit History Month: Why is April 2, 2018, a memorable day for social justice movements?
Dalit organizations considered this an attack on the spirit of the Act and said it would hinder justice for SC/ST victims of atrocities. Dalit History Month is celebrated by Bahujan communities worldwide in April. Dedicated to the birthday of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, this month aims to remember and convey to the new generation the historical struggles of the Dalit-Bahujan community, which have often been suppressed in mainstream history. Inspired by Black History Month, Bahujan organizations, intellectuals, and social activists discuss the suffering, resistance, and achievements of the Dalit community. Remembering the community’s struggles during this month is important because these struggles not only remind us of the need to stand up against caste-based atrocities but also point the way to social justice even today. This time, during Dalit History Month, one event is being specifically remembered – April 2, 2018, when the country witnessed the largest social movement in history to protect the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. On March 20, 2018, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict in the case of Dr. Subhash Kashinath Mahajan vs. State of Maharashtra, weakening some key provisions of the SC/ST Act. The Court directed that a DSP-level preliminary investigation be mandatory before filing an FIR, that the arrest of public servants requires the permission of the appointing authority, and that anticipatory bail be granted in certain cases. Dalit organizations considered this an attack on the spirit of the Act and said that it would hinder justice for SC/ST victims of atrocities. This decision sparked anger across the country. Various Dalit and Bahujan organizations called for a Bharat Bandh on April 2, 2018. Millions of people took to the streets – trains were stopped, roads were blocked, and protesters demanded the government repeal the Supreme Court’s decision. Protests broke out in several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi. In many places, the protests turned violent, leading to clashes with police, vehicle burnings, and stone-pelting. Curfews were imposed, internet services were shut down, and security forces were deployed. Fourteen people were martyred in the violence during this movement, while hundreds were injured. According to various media reports and official figures, Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths (9) (including Gwalior, Bhind, and Morena), followed by Uttar Pradesh (3), and Rajasthan (2). These martyrs sacrificed their lives in the fight for the dignity and security of the Dalit community. Under pressure from the protests, the central government filed a review petition in the Supreme Court. In August 2018, Parliament passed the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018, which repealed the Supreme Court’s March 2018 directives and restored the original provisions. April 2, 2018, was etched in the struggles for social justice as it demonstrated that the Bahujan Samaj could unite to protect its constitutional rights. Remembering this event during Dalit History Month is a reminder of the struggles that protected the law. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Unless caste-based insults are in “public view,” the SC/ST Act will not apply: Why is the Bahujan community agitated by this Supreme Court decision?
Is caste-based abuse in a private home no longer a crime? The CPI(M) raises serious questions New Delhi – In a judgment on May 11, the Supreme Court held that if caste-based abuse or insult occurs within a private residence and is not in “public view,” no offense is made out under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. A division bench of Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra overturned the Delhi High Court order in Gunjan @ Girija Kumari v. State of Delhi (NCT) and quashed the FIR and charge sheet filed against the accused. The dispute arose from a family property dispute in the Kirti Nagar police station area of Delhi. The complainant and the accused are relatives. On January 28, 2021, the complainant, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste, alleged that the accused, Girija Kumari, addressed him with derogatory casteist slurs such as “Chuda,” “Chamar,” and “Harijan,” and that the other accused issued threats. FIR number 42/2021 was registered at the Kirti Nagar police station. The trial court framed charges under sections of the SC/ST Act, and the Delhi High Court upheld that decision, leading to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court’s Argument: “Public View” Essential Condition The Supreme Court clarified that offenses under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST Act are made out only when the insult or casteist slur is uttered “in any place within public view.” The Court noted that the incident took place in a residential house in Ramesh Nagar, New Delhi, and the FIR did not state that any independent member of the public was present at the time or that the incident occurred in public view. Both points 5(b) and 6(e) of the FIR mentioned the same residential address. The court, citing its earlier judgments—Swaran Singh v. State (2008), Hitesh Verma v. State of Uttarakhand (2020), and Karuppudayar v. State (2025), held that “public view” means that the incident occurred in a place where the public could see or hear it. An incident occurring within a boundary wall, where the public had no access, did not satisfy this condition. The court also dismissed charges under Sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, stating that the contents of the complaint did not establish either “intent to alarm” or “common criminal intent.” According to legal experts, this judgment reaffirms two key principles: first, the necessity of the “public view” condition under sections of the SC/ST Act; And second, the requirement that all legal elements must be clearly stated in the FIR and accompanying charge sheet before prosecution can begin. However, actual incidents of caste-based humiliation committed in public places are still fully punishable. This Supreme Court decision has caused deep unease among Dalit and Bahujan organizations. They argue that caste-based oppression often occurs within the confines of homes, where there are no outside witnesses. Therefore, making the “public view” requirement mandatory practically closes the doors to justice for victims. Social justice advocates argue that caste-based humiliation occurring within the confines of a home is no less painful. Ambedkarite activist Ravi Parmar says, “If tomorrow some Manuwadi forcibly kidnaps a Dalit person, takes him to his private home, and insults him with caste-based slurs, it will not be considered a crime under the SC/ST Act. It’s amazing. As long as the collegium system exists, attacks on the rights of Dalits and tribals are certain to continue.” Bahujan thinker Ravi Ratna says, “The atrocities in Khairlanji happened in public. The victim and her daughter were raped, paraded naked, brutally abused, and killed. The victim’s son and another youth were killed in broad daylight. But the court ruled that the murders were committed out of revenge and were not caste-related, so no SC/ST Act was applied.” Anti-caste activist Dr. Rehna Ravindran says, “Read it this way: If the murder happened in a private home, there’s no fault. If the rape happened in a private home, there’s no fault. If the husband beats his wife in a private home, there’s no fault. So, do you understand the absurdity behind these statements? Prejudiced casteists will go to any lengths to weaken the legal protections afforded to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.” This isn’t the first time a Supreme Court decision on the SC/ST Act has sparked political and social opposition. In 2018, the court’s weakening of arrest provisions under the same Act sparked nationwide protests, a Bharat Bandh, and the deaths of several protesters, after which Parliament intervened to restore the original provisions through amendments. The CPI(M) had also called the decision “retrograde” and demanded an immediate review petition from the central government. The 2026 judgment is now being viewed by critics as part of a continuing judicial trend of diluting the Act’s safeguards. CPI(M) Politburo Expresses Deep Concern Over Judgment The Politburo of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has expressed deep concern over the judgment delivered by the two-judge bench of the Supreme Court. The party said that in the case of Girija Kumari and others v. State of Delhi, the Supreme Court adopted a narrow approach based solely on legal technicalities and ordered the quashing of the FIR and chargesheet, which is extremely unfortunate. The Politburo said that this judgment is worrying for several reasons: firstly, it comes at a time when incidents of atrocities against SC and ST communities are rapidly increasing in most parts of the country, and secondly, this judgment is the latest in a long series of Supreme Court judgments that adversely impact the rights of these communities. The party feared that if this decision was not reversed, incidents of abusive treatment of SC/ST persons in homes, offices, schools, colleges, and other places would increase, as perpetrators would assume that the law could do nothing against them. The CPI(M) demanded the immediate intervention of the central government and an appeal to the Supreme Court to reconsider this decision. Communist Party of India General
Caste-based insults against sanitation worker leader in Jodhpur Municipal Corporation: DC accused of threatening to implicate him in a false case
The letter also states that since 2018, non-Valmiki community members have not been performing sanitation work, placing additional burden on women from the Valmiki community. Therefore, they should be immediately deployed to the wards for sanitation work. Jodhpur. Even after 78 years of independence, another shocking case of social and mental exploitation of the Valmiki (Mehattar) community has emerged from the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation. Sardar Prakash Singh ‘Vidrohi,’ District President of the All India Safai Mazdoor Congress, has alleged in a letter to the Union Defense Minister that the corporation’s DC, Swaroop Singh, insulted him with caste-based slurs and threatened to implicate him in a false case of obstruction of government work. According to the letter, the leader was on a hunger strike on May 12th during the sanitation workers’ long-standing struggle for their ten-point demands. Due to the intense heat and the negligence of officials, Sardar Prakash Singh, who had already undergone bypass surgery, became seriously ill, but the municipal administration remained unconcerned. According to Vidrohi, as the situation worsened, Deputy Commissioner Swaroop Singh expelled all the policemen, officers, and organization members from the room. He then insulted them with casteist slurs, saying, “You Bhangi don’t have the guts to fight us.” Meanwhile, Vidrohi’s health suddenly deteriorated. He initially remained seated on a chair, then, as his condition worsened, he lay down in the Deputy Commissioner’s room. He was also threatened with a false case of obstructing government work against the Commissioner. Sardar Prakash Singh called this mentality a blot on humanity, saying that while the entire world is planning to settle on the moon, educated officials are still living with the same old mindset. During the talks with the police and organization members, I sat on a hunger strike in the scorching sun from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but none of the corporation officials took any notice, leading to my health deteriorating during the talks. I had previously undergone bypass surgery. Even then, the corporation’s DC and no other official took it seriously. My colleagues immediately called an ambulance and rushed me to the hospital, where doctors advised complete bed rest.- Sardar Prakash Singh In his letter, Sardar Prakash Singh made several demands to the Union Defense Minister. He demanded that the Jodhpur Municipal Corporation’s current cleaning contract be canceled and permanent staff recruitment, DPC, and criminal compassionate appointments be conducted soon. He also demanded that members of the Valmiki community be appointed as sanitation in-charges based on seniority and diplomas. The letter also stated that non-Valmiki community members have not been performing sanitation work since 2018, placing additional burden on women from the Valmiki community. Therefore, they should be immediately assigned to the wards. The most important demand is the immediate transfer of DC Swaroop Singh and departmental action against him. Warning that if timely action is not taken, Sardar Prakash Singh will approach the court and file a case against the DC under the SC/ST Act. Copies of this letter have also been sent to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Rajasthan Chief Minister, and Jodhpur MLA Atul Bhansali. At present, there has been no response from the Municipal Corporation administration, but Sardar Prakash Singh’s allegations have sparked outrage within the Valmiki community. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Delhi: “We are Pandits, you are a Chuhra… Nothing will happen to me,” Dalit youth publicly abused; despite video, police remain empty-handed.
A Dalit youth in Delhi’s Mehrauli was publicly subjected to casteist abuse. Despite having the video and the vehicle number, the police are reluctant to register an FIR. New Delhi: A case of caste-based harassment and gross police negligence has come to light in the Mehrauli area of the capital Delhi. An unknown person publicly abused a Dalit youth, Vipin Kumar Duggal, with vulgar casteist slurs and attempted to assault him. Despite the victim having a video of the incident and the accused’s vehicle number, the police have been reluctant to register an FIR for the past several days. The entire incident occurred on May 10, 2026, at around 5:35 p.m. Vipin Kumar Duggal was returning home from the market on his motorcycle. When Vipin, riding a black Hero Splendor (DL3SFP1057), stopped him from cutting him off (driving dangerously) near the residence of former Mayor Satbir Singh, he began abusing him. During a minor altercation, the accused suddenly became aggressive and began pushing and insulting Vipin. According to the victim, the accused publicly shouted, “I know you… We are Pandits, you are a Chuhra… You are a Chuhra… Yes, I am telling you.” When Vipin began filming the incident on his mobile phone, the accused, claiming to be an army soldier, threatened him, saying that the police could not do anything to him. The victim immediately called PCR on 112 and went to Mehrauli police station to file a written complaint (DD No. 145A). The victim alleges that the accused, along with some of his friends, went to the police station to exert pressure and misbehaved there as well. However, as soon as the victim began filing a written complaint, the accused took advantage of the situation and fled. The investigation of this case has been entrusted to SI Naveen Kumar, but the police’s attitude has been extremely evasive. The complainant provided the accused’s mobile number (76XXXXXX94) and True Caller details to the police. Despite this, the investigating officer consistently avoided taking calls and offered only assurances instead of taking any concrete action. Frustrated by this police indifference, the victim sent an email to the DCP (South), ACP (Mehrauli), and SHO on May 12th, pleading for justice. He has also filed a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. According to the victim, when he again visited the police station to meet with the SHO, he denied any knowledge of the incident even four days after the incident, which raises serious questions about police performance. Investigating this entire matter, we attempted to obtain the police’s version of events. We called the SI investigating the case twice to clarify the situation, but were unable to reach him. The Delhi Police’s failure to register an FIR despite the existence of clear evidence and the occurrence of a cognizable offense under the SC/ST Act is a matter of grave concern. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Former Pradhan in Pratapgarh accused of assaulting Dalit woman and children: Police register case under SC/ST Act and begin investigation
In Pratapgarh’s Udaipur police station area, former Pradhan Amarnath Pal has been accused of assaulting a Dalit woman and her children. Police have registered a case under various sections, including the SC/ST Act, and have begun investigation. The incident occurred on Sunday in the village of Poore Man Singh in the Rehua Lalganj market. The victim, Rinku Devi, wife of Ramesh Saroj, stated in her complaint to the police that her husband was not at home at the time of the incident and she was ill. Her daughter, Saloni, was cooking at home. According to Rinku Devi, former Pradhan Amarnath Pal had initially asked her to work. Angered by her inability to work due to illness, Amarnath Pal arrived at her house with his wife and daughter. It is alleged that he abused and assaulted Rinku Devi, her daughter Saloni, and son. The accused also threatened to kill them before leaving. Upon receiving information about the incident, the police took immediate action and conducted medical examinations of the victims. Former village head Amarnath Pal dismissed the allegations, saying there was a minor altercation between the women. He claimed that all the allegations made by Rinku Devi are not true. Station in-charge Mohammad Aftab Alam stated that based on the medical examination and investigation, a case has been registered under relevant sections, including the SC/ST Act. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal action is being taken. Anoop Kumar Singh | Sangipur (Pratapgarh) Courtesy: Hindi News
Attack on a family in Tilsuwa, Malihabad: Accused of setting cattle on fire, case filed against accused
A Dalit family was attacked, hurled casteist slurs, and their cattle were set on fire in Tilsuwa village, under the Malihabad police station area of Malihabad, Lucknow. Based on the victim’s complaint, the police have registered a case and begun an investigation. The victim, Santosh Kumar, a resident of Tilsuwa village, stated in his police complaint that on March 15, 2026, four to five young men armed with sticks arrived at his home. The accused included Balendra Yadav alias Nitin and Abhay Yadav, along with three unidentified individuals. According to the victim, the accused stood outside the house, shouted casteist slurs, banged on the door, and threatened to kill the family if they came out. Frightened, the family refused to open the door. The miscreants then beat a pregnant cow and two buffaloes tied near the house and set their shed on fire. The incident was immediately reported to Dial 112. Police and fire brigade teams arrived at the scene, but by then the accused had fled. The victim alleged that while leaving, the accused threatened to kill his entire family if they complained. The victim also stated that he had previously submitted a petition to the Malihabad police in this regard, but no action was taken. Two months later, on the instructions of the ACP, a case has been registered and an investigation has been initiated. Malihabad ACP Sujit Kumar Dubey stated that based on Santosh’s complaint, a case has been registered under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Act (SC/ST Act) and other relevant sections and the matter is being investigated. Courtesy: Hindi News