Dalit Family Attacked in Bulandshahr: Upper Caste Men Thrash Four, Including Minors, for Bathing in Tubewell Reservoir.
In an alarming incident, four members of a Dalit family, including two minors and a former village head, were reportedly assaulted by individuals from an upper caste community for bathing in a tubewell reservoir in Khurja city of Bulandshahr district. The incident took place on Thursday, as confirmed by the police on Friday. Malkhan Singh, the former village head, aged 58, narrated the incident, stating that his family was taking a bath in the reservoir when a group of 8-10 upper caste men, aged between 20-25 years, from the same village arrived and attacked them with sticks.
Singh recounted, "While we were bathing, a group of youths approached near the reservoir. When the children playfully went towards their side of the reservoir, they threatened us, demanding that we don't bathe near them. An argument ensued when we protested, and they called more men who mercilessly thrashed us with sticks." He added, "Around five to seven members of my family, including women and children, sustained injuries in the attack."
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Bulandshahr, Shlok Kumar, stated, "Police were informed that a group of upper caste individuals assaulted people from the Dalit community. The accused initially asked them to either leave or bathe away from them, stating that 'both groups cannot bathe together.' Following a heated argument, the Dalit family was brutally attacked by the youths."
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Khurja police station against ten accused persons under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 147 (punishment for rioting), 148, 323 (criminal assault), 504, 506 (criminal intimidation), as well as relevant sections of the SC/ST (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Act. The SSP further added, "No arrests have been made at this stage. The injured victims are receiving treatment at the district hospital, and their condition is stable. An investigation is currently underway, and appropriate action will be taken."