In yet another case of caste atrocity, around 18-20 members of four Dalit families in Devrala village, Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh, have alleged that they are being forced to leave their homes due to ongoing harassment by a BJP head of Araniya block and his supporters. The families allege that the police have repeatedly removed posters they had put up to bring attention to their plight.

The troubling incident occurred on the evening of May 14 when Achhan Kumar and Sachin Gautam, both motorcycle mechanics, were returning home and were attacked by approximately 10 men, including Surendra Pramukh, the BJP functionary. Vijendra Singh, Achhan’s father, stated that the attack was planned and followed an earlier incident in which Achhan’s son was slapped by the neighbor, who is the father of Surendra Pramukh. Vijendra Singh revealed, “We expressed our objection to the child being slapped. Later in the evening, Achhan and Sachin were targeted with bricks and sticks, resulting in severe head injuries.”

The affected families claim that their initial complaint to the police was ignored, with the authorities failing to register a First Information Report (FIR). It was only after approximately 30-40 people gathered outside the police station to protest the inaction that the police finally lodged an FIR against Surendra Pramukh and eight others, charging them under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to attempted murder, rioting, and criminal intimidation. The police have since made three arrests and assured that further arrests will follow as the investigation progresses.

Vijendra Singh expressed deep concern for the safety of his family, stating, “We are living in fear and are now forced to vacate our house and shift elsewhere.” In an attempt to draw attention to their distressing circumstances, the Dalit families have handwritten posters outside four houses, appealing for support and intervention from the authorities.