A recent incident in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit youth was allegedly lynched, has ignited a political firestorm. The youth was attacked on Saturday, with the attackers believing he was involved in drone-related theft. The Congress party has taken the Uttar Pradesh government to task over the incident. Senior Congress figures have also reacted, with Supriya Shrinate posting on X that Rahul Gandhi, the Raebareli MP, had spoken with the family of the victim. Shrinate mentioned that Rahul Gandhi had a phone conversation with the father and brother of the deceased, offering his support and promising to stand with them in their pursuit of justice. She stated that the Congress party will not allow such brutality against Dalits. Pawan Khera, also using X, described the lynching as both heartbreaking and angering. He noted that the deceased, while facing the fatal attack, looked to Rahul Gandhi as his last hope. Rahul Gandhi, who represents Raebareli, has shown his concern and offered support to the family, expressing strong views on the normalization of such incidents. He has promised to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The police have made five arrests in connection with the case. According to police reports, the victim, identified as Hariom Dandepur, who was reportedly mentally unwell, was en route to his in-laws’ house when he was attacked by a mob. The mob mistook him for someone involved in using drones to mark houses for theft. The Raebareli SP, Yashveer Singh, confirmed the arrests and mentioned the transfer of the SHO due to the handling of the case. He also added that local police were aware of the rumors circulating in the area. Prior to the murder, Raebareli police arrested two individuals, Mohammad Junaid and Mohammad Ovais, for unauthorized drone usage.
