The Gondal police have registered a case under sections 140(2), 324(2), 352, 54 (assault, kidnapping, property damage) of the Indian Penal Code (BNSS) 2023 and sections 3(1)(e)(r)(s), 3(2)(5) (caste insult and violence) of the SC/ST Act.
Rajkot- Casteism is deeply rooted in society. In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in cases of caste violence, where Dalits and members of backward classes not only have to face social discrimination, but also physical violence and humiliating behavior. Similarly, a shocking incident has come to light in Gondal taluka of Rajkot, Gujarat, where a Dalit youth was beaten up by using caste-specific abuses and his hair was forcibly cut. The victim Kunalbhai Meghjibhai, who lives in Sadakpipliya village, has lodged a complaint with the Gondal police.
Talking to The Mooknayak, 24-year-old Kunalbhai said that he has been living on rent with his parents and sister in Nareshbhai Jamod’s house in Sadakpipliya for five years. Kunal works as a laborer in Kesari Nandan factory near Bharudi Pariya and has studied up to class 9.
Kunal told about the incident, “On the night of June 11, around 8:30 pm, I had left home on my motorcycle to get Shrikhand. Then the accused Satishbhai Vekariya and Markand Vyas came in front of me on their motorcycle and said, “Jadiaara (caste slur), where are you going?” and abused me. I stopped my motorcycle and asked them not to abuse me. To this, they said, “This is not your father’s village,” and started beating me with sticks. I ran away from there and reached Bajrang Dairy lane, but both of them came there on their motorcycle and then beat me with a stick. They pushed me against the wall and hit me and then took me to Bapa Sitaram temple on their motorcycle.” Kunal further said, “In the temple, they again beat me with a stick. Prayagbhai Prafulbhai Chauhan was also present there. Satish and Markand asked Prayag to bring scissors. Prayag brought scissors, with which Satish and Markand cut my hair. While cutting my hair, they were saying, “This Jadiara has long hair, he likes to keep long hair!” This was my first meeting with these two. They also broke the headrest and indicator of my motorcycle.
The matter did not end here, after this Kunal returned home and told his neighbors about the incident. About an hour later, Satish again came to his house with a motorcycle and started abusing Kunal and his mother Manisha Ben. The landlord Nareshbhai pacified him and sent him away. Kunal told that he had suffered physical injuries, so he called 108 ambulance. Both mother and son were taken to Rajkot Government Hospital, where doctors confirmed serious injuries.
On Kunal’s complaint, Gondal police have registered an FIR against the three accused. Indian Penal Code has been registered in the case. Sections 140(2), 324(2), 352, 54 (assault, kidnapping, damage to property) of the BNSS Code, 2023 and sections 3(1)(e)(r)(s), 3(2)(5) (caste-based insult and violence) of the SC/ST Act have been imposed.
Courtesy : Geetha Sunil Pillai, Hindi News