In a disturbing incident highlighting caste-based discrimination and vigilantism, two Dalit men in Odisha's Ganjam district were subjected to horrific abuse on Sunday, June 22, 2025. The victims were reportedly accused of cattle smuggling by a mob in Kharigumma village, under the Dharakote police station limits. The men were transporting two cows and a calf in an auto when they were stopped and falsely accused of transporting cattle for slaughter. The victims stated the cattle were intended as a traditional gift for a wedding in their family.
According to police reports and victim testimonies, the ordeal began when the mob demanded money from the two men, Bulu Nayak and Babula Nayak, both in their 40s and residents of Singipur village. When they refused to pay, the assailants allegedly stripped them to their waists, beat them, and forcibly shaved their heads. The humiliation escalated as the mob forced them to crawl on their knees for approximately two kilometers, from Kharigumma to Jahada. Adding to the torment, the victims were forced to eat grass and drink drainage water.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage after videos of the assault went viral on social media, though their authenticity could not be independently verified. Political figures and civil society groups have strongly condemned the act, calling for swift and stringent action against the perpetrators. Former PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik expressed his anguish on social media, stating that it broke his heart to even write about the incident.
After managing to escape, the victims filed a formal complaint at the Dharakote police station. Police have registered a case and have admitted the two men to a local hospital for treatment of the injuries they sustained during the assault. Authorities have detained multiple individuals in connection with the crime and are conducting further investigations to identify and apprehend all those involved.
The incident has evoked chilling memories of similar caste-based atrocities and mob vigilantism seen in other parts of the country, particularly those related to cow protection. While such incidents have been relatively rare in Odisha, this case has raised concerns, especially given the recent change in the state's political landscape. Sangram Nayak, convenor of the Ganjam District Dalit Mahasangh, has condemned the violence and announced plans for statewide protests to demand justice for the victims.
This incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by marginalized communities in India and the urgent need for effective measures to combat caste-based discrimination and violence. The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities have assured that appropriate action will be taken according to the law.
