Uttar Pradesh: Hindu men assault, injure Dalit boy for touching bucket
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Kanpur: A brutal caste atrocity reported from Kanpur has triggered outrage after a 16-year-old Dalit boy alleged that four upper-caste Hindu men assaulted and humiliated him for touching a bucket kept near a public handpump while trying to drink water after working in agricultural fields. According to a complaint, the bucket claimed to be belonging to upper-caste villagers, a Maktoob Media report said.
The incident took place on May 2 in Jhakhra-Sambharpur village under the Sachendi police station limits. The teenager, son of a farm labourer, alleged that the accused — identified as Sanjay Rajput, Deepak Rajput, Sagar Kumar and Patiya Kumar — attacked him after accusing him of “polluting” the water source because he belonged to a Dalit community.
According to the complaint, the accused abused the boy with casteist slurs and beat him for nearly half an hour. The assault allegedly left him with a fractured arm. When his father rushed to rescue him, he too was allegedly attacked and suffered injuries, including a fractured rib.
The boy further alleged that the accused spat on their shoes and forced him to lick the spit before making him drink water poured into the footwear. The accused also allegedly sprinkled Ganga water around the handpump area afterward as part of a so-called “purification” ritual.
The family reportedly delayed approaching police due to fear and pressure within the village. The matter drew wider attention after another caste humiliation video from Chandauli surfaced online days later.
Police eventually registered an FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other charges. One accused, Sanjay Rajput, has been detained while police said efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.
However, the police response triggered criticism after officials described the incident as a “mutual dispute” linked to garbage dumping and open defecation, while claiming allegations relating to forced humiliation had not been confirmed during investigation.
Congress leaders and Bhim Army Bharat Ekta Mission condemned the assault as a reflection of continuing caste oppression and demanded strict action, protection for the family and an impartial investigation.