In yet another horrific caste atrocity case in the state of Rajasthan, a 25-year-old Scheduled Caste youth named Durgesh Meghwal was murdered in Jhalawar. The unidentified culprit attacked the victim with bricks, smashed his eyes, and later dragged his naked body. The motive of the crime is unknown as well.

The deceased victim’s body was found the following morning. The victim’s family and other relatives were determined to keep the body until the murderers were caught. Thereafter, Chiranjilal Meena, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), and Richa Tomar, Superintendent of Police (SP), went to the scene to meet with the victim’s family, and eventually, the body of the young man was taken away for an autopsy. An investigation into the heinous murder has been started.

The recent murder of Durgesh Meghwal in Jhalawar is a tragic reminder of the continued prevalence of caste-based violence and discrimination in the state. The fact that such incidents continue to occur despite strict laws against caste-based discrimination and violence is a clear indication of the government’s failure to ensure the effective implementation of these measures.

This is not the first instance of caste-based violence in Rajasthan, and unfortunately, it is unlikely to be the last. The state has witnessed plenty of other atrocities against the Scheduled Caste community in recent times, including the murder case of a school-going boy, Inder Meghwal, by his teacher for touching a water pot, or the murder of Jitendra Meghwal for merely keeping a mustache.