‘Cruel, Condemnable’: Mayawati on UP Honour Killing of Dalit Youth

The 20-year-old was torched alive for being in a relationship with a girl from another caste.

Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: The Quint)

After a 20-year-old Dalit man was torched for his relationship with a woman from another caste in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi, BSP President Mayawati on Wednesday, 18 September, called the horrific act "cruel and condemnable" and demanded immediate action against the culprits.

In a tweet in Hindi, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief said, "To burn alive a Dalit youth over a love affair in the name of caste in the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh is extremely cruel and highly condemnable. The government should immediately punish the culprits so that such incidents do not recur in the state, this is the demand of the BSP."

What Happened?

A 20-year-old Dalit man was burnt alive over his relationship with a woman from another caste.

Abhishank alias Monu, was, according to an Indian Express report, killed by the family members of Shivani Gupta, a girl he was reportedly in a relationship with. Radhey Gupta, Shivani's father, when asked about the murder said he did it to save his family's 'honour', stated the report.

Further, The Indian Express reported Monu was confronted by Shivani's family when he went to pick up cash for his ailing mother's treatment. He was returning after arranging Rs 25,000 for the treatment of his ailing mother, Ram Beti (60), his uncle Raju said.

The report said that he was first beaten up and then burnt alive in a store room, used by the girl's father to stock inventory for his grocery store.

Monu’s mother, who was admitted to the hospital for a prolonged illness, passed away from shock after learning of her son’s death, reported PTI.

Shivani's father was quoted by The Indian Express as saying that he does not know if he is proud of his act or not, but "Sometimes a man has to do something to save the dignity of his caste and family."

His wife, Daali Gupta, blamed Shivani for the incident, stating that she was Daali's brother’s child and had to be adopted by Daali and her husband because her brother could not afford to raise a child at the time. "We sent her to school but did not know that she will show her true colours. In school, she started talking to Monu. Now years later, because of her, we are going to jail. She should be the one responsible. We are innocent,” The Indian Express quoted her as saying.

An FIR was filed against five people, including two family members and two neighbours of Shivani, the SP said, adding that an investigation is on.

Congress Slams BJP-Led State Govt

The Congress on Tuesday, 17 September, hit out at the BJP government over the killing, saying that the social fabric of the state is being attacked to achieve political objectives.

“Under the BJP rule, another Dalit has been burnt alive – inhuman and shameful.”  

Randeep Surjewala, Spokesperson, Congress

"In order to achieve political objectives in Uttar Pradesh, the social fabric is being attacked," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

“The political advantage-seeking ruling dispensation is silent,” he alleged.

"In UP, neither women are safe, nor are the Dalits and backwards classes," the Congress leader claimed.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI and The Indian Express)