Dalit Driver Abducted and Assaulted in Madhya Pradesh: Rising Pattern of Caste Violence Exposed

A Dalit man in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior reported being kidnapped, beaten and forced to consume urine by three individuals in Bhind district.

According to his statement, the victim, who works as a Bolero driver, had previously been employed by Bhind resident Sonu Barua. He had recently stopped working as a driver and relocated to his in-laws' residence in Gwalior. The victim claimed that three days prior, Barua, accompanied by Alok Pathak and Chhotu Ojha, arrived at his in-laws' home and forcibly abducted him in a Bolero after he declined to resume his driving position.

The victim informed police that while being transported to Bhind, the three men assaulted him with a plastic pipe, forced him to drink alcohol, and subsequently made him consume urine. The perpetrators allegedly repeated this treatment upon arriving at Akutpura village, where they restrained him with iron chains and continued the assault throughout the night.

The victim eventually escaped and was transported to the district hospital in Bhind, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

The hospital ward temporarily became a site of protest when Bhim Army members gathered, claiming police were slow to respond. They threatened larger demonstrations if justice wasn't served.

Following these protests, state minister Rakesh Shukla, alongside Bhind Collector Kirodi Lal Meena and Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Pathak, visited the victim. The minister instructed officials to ensure proper medical attention and promised firm action. "The victim has stated he was forced to drink urine. Police will thoroughly investigate and take appropriate action," Shukla stated.

Pathak confirmed that an FIR has been filed, and all three accused have been arrested and incarcerated. "Some individuals from his village brought him to Bhind and assaulted him. A case has been registered and is under investigation," the officer reported.

This incident follows similar recent cases in Madhya Pradesh. Recently, a Dalit youth in Katni was allegedly urinated upon after protesting illegal mining. In July 2023, video footage of a man urinating on a tribal youth in Sidhi triggered nationwide outrage.

According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau 2023 statistics, incidents of atrocities against Scheduled Castes continue to increase across India. A total of 57,789 cases were documented nationwide, with Madhya Pradesh (8,232 cases) ranking among the top three states.