A Dalit engineer in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district was allegedly thrashed with a shoe by a BJP worker inside his office. The incident, which was captured on video and has since gone viral, has sparked outrage and drawn condemnation from various quarters.
The victim, identified as Superintending Engineer Lal Singh, stated that the incident occurred at the electricity department office. He alleged that Munna Bahadur Singh, who claimed to be a former mandal president of the BJP, barged into his office with 20-25 men and began assaulting him without any provocation. Singh further claimed that the accused also used caste slurs during the attack.
According to Lal Singh, Munna Bahadur Singh did not ask any questions or share any grievances before starting the assault. He said that Singh hit him on the head with a shoe, punched him, and abused him using caste slurs. Other staff members intervened to save him. The engineer sustained injuries in the attack and was taken for a medical checkup. He has also lodged a police complaint.
Munna Bahadur Singh has also filed a complaint, claiming that the engineer and his colleagues attacked him with sharp weapons when he went to the office to file a complaint. He was seen with bandages, showing reporters his wounds. Lal Singh has denied these allegations.
Police have registered a case against Munna Bahadur Singh under relevant sections of the law, and teams have been formed to arrest him, according to Kripa Shankar, Additional Superintendent of Police, Ballia. Police forces are present at the scene and legal proceedings have been initiated.
The video of the assault shows Munna Singh shouting at officials before attacking the engineer. He was briefly restrained but returned moments later with a shoe and repeatedly struck the engineer.
The incident has been widely condemned, with many calling for strict action against the accused. The use of caste slurs has further fueled the outrage, with many seeing it as a reflection of the deep-rooted caste discrimination that still persists in India.
