Dalit Forced to Lick Shoes in UP: Dalit Humiliation, Police Complicity, and the Decay of Indian Democracy

In the BJP-ruled Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the false front of “New India” is repeatedly torn away by shocking incidents of ancient hatred. The recent case from Hamirpur is not just a story of a brutal crime. It is a terrible example of a state where upper-caste Hindutva power operates with complete freedom. The brutal attack on a Dalit youngster, Umesh Babu, is a clear sign of a deep problem where the state system and violent majority rule work together, exposing the empty promise of equality in Modi’s India.

The Details of a Brutal Assault

The attack on Umesh Babu is a frightening reminder of the daily violence Dalits face. This was not a random act but a targeted attack to enforce a cruel social order.

♦ A Targeted Public Attack: The victim was attacked in the market, first with verbal abuse and then with violence, all driven by caste-based hatred.

♦ The Hindutva Connection: The attackers were identified as upper-caste Hindutva men, including Abhay Singh, pointing to the political idea that encourages such crimes.

♦ Severe Physical Harm: The attackers used caste-based insults and beat him so badly that one of his hands was broken, showing their complete lack of fear of the law.

A Deliberate Act of Ritual Shaming

The crime went beyond physical violence. The attackers used acts of shame to make him feel less than human and to send a terrifying message to the entire Dalit community.

♦ Forced to Lick Shoes: Forcing Umesh Babu to lick their shoes is a disgusting, old method of showing caste power, designed to strengthen the idea that a Dalit is less than human.

♦ An Attack on Dalit Respect: This was an attack on the respect of every Dalit, a violent reminder of their forced place in the Hindutva social order.

The Symbolic Attack on Dalit Identity

The most telling part of this horrible incident was the planned destruction of a powerful symbol of Dalit rights. This reveals the real reason behind the violence.

♦ Tearing Down Dr Ambedkar’s Photograph: The attackers tore down a photograph of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. This was a symbolic denial of the Indian constitution, which he helped write.

♦ Destroying the Idea of Equality: This act shows a deep hatred for the very idea of Dalit power, justice, and equality that Dr. Ambedkar represents.

The Involvement of the State Police

As is frighteningly common, the attackers’ violence was followed by the involvement of the state. The local police, far from protecting, acted as the first line of protection for the accused.

♦ A Victim Repeatedly Ignored: Umesh Babu repeatedly went to the police to report the ordeal, but his requests were ignored.

♦ Protecting the Powerful: The police’s refusal to register a First Information Report (FIR) shows their deep unfairness. They saw upper-caste men who were not to be troubled, not a badly hurt Dalit citizen.

Justice Forced, Not Given

That any action was taken at all is not a sign of a working system, but of its complete breakdown. Justice was only started when the system was forced to act against its will.

♦ Twelve Days of Injustice: It took twelve long days for an FIR to be registered. This delay allows for evidence to be destroyed and victims to be scared into silence.

♦ Involvement from the Top: The complaint was only filed after the victim got the attention of the Superintendent of Police, Dr. Deeksha Sharma, forcing the local station to act.

The System’s Unwilling Response

The final registration of the case by the local Station House Officer was not a change of heart. It was an official move made under pressure, covering for his own department’s failure.

♦ An Empty Investigation: The SHO’s statement that “an investigation has been started” rings empty. It is a cover for the twelve days of criminal failure to act by his own department.

♦ The Failure of Local Government: This shows the rot is deepest at the station level, where officers are fully part of the local caste and political power structures.

Dalit Community Demands Responsibility

The response from the Dalit community highlights their complete lack of trust in the system. They rightly see two sets of criminals: the attackers and the police who protected them.

♦ Criticizing the Police Delay: Dalit organizations have rightly criticized the police for delaying the FIR, understanding that this delay is a denial of justice.

♦ Action Against Involved Police: The demand is not just for action against the accused, but also for strong action against the policemen who refused to register the complaint.

Conclusion: A Snapshot of India’s Failing Democracy

This horrible incident in Hamirpur is not a single crime. It is a perfect example of the reality in Modi’s India, especially in the BJP’s Hindutva testing ground of Uttar Pradesh. It shows a state where upper-caste power is violently forced, Dalit lives are seen as worthless, and the state system is involved in this cruel treatment. The tearing of Dr. Ambedkar’s photo is the final, sad symbol. It represents the tearing of India’s social agreement and the death of its secular, democratic values, all under the watchful, supporting eye of a majority-based government.