A Dalit man and his mother were allegedly brutally attacked by a group of individuals from an upper caste community in Banaskantha district of Gujarat because the man was wearing good clothes, according to the police. The incident, which took place in Mota village, has sparked outrage and a first information report (FIR) has been filed against seven people.

The incident unfolded on Tuesday night when Jigar Shekhalia, a Dalit man, was confronted by one of the accused outside his house in Mota village. The accused verbally abused him and issued death threats, expressing their displeasure over his well-dressed appearance and sunglasses. Later that night, six others from the same community approached the victim near a village temple and interrogated him about his attire before launching a brutal assault.

During the attack, the victim’s mother rushed to his aid but was also subjected to physical assault, threats, and her clothes were torn. The victims were eventually rescued and are currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

Following the complaint lodged by Jigar Shekhalia, an FIR was registered at Gadh police station. The accused have been booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rioting, unlawful assembly, outraging the modesty of a woman, voluntarily causing hurt, and using abusive language. They have also been charged under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.