A Dalit journalist was allegedly assaulted and abused with caste-based slurs while reporting on a public grievance programme at the Gogunda Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in Rajasthan’s Udaipur district on Wednesday.
Journalist Lakhan Salvi alleged in his complaint that Gopal Lodha, a resident of Gogunda, confronted him while he was recording villagers submitting a memorandum at the SDM office. According to the FIR, Lodha allegedly blocked Salvi’s camera with his mobile phone before abusing and assaulting him.
Salvi reportedly moved away from the spot after villagers intervened and took him to a nearby verandah. However, he alleged that Lodha followed him and attacked him again.
Journalist Alleges Attack With Sharp Weapon
According to Salvi’s complaint, Lodha struck him on the head and face with what he described as a “sharp pointed weapon.” He also alleged that the accused tried to attack his eye and hit him in his private parts.
The journalist said he suffered a head injury and began bleeding. He was taken to a nearby community health centre for treatment.
Salvi further alleged that Lodha’s brother, Kailash Lodha, also joined the assault. According to the complaint, the two men allegedly arrived at the health centre and attacked him again before fleeing.
Salvi has alleged that Gopal Lodha had subjected him to caste-based abuse in the past as well. He described the latest incident as both a caste-based attack and a “fatal assault.”
FIR Registered Under SC/ST Act
The FIR was registered on August 19 at Gogunda police station. Police have invoked Sections 115(2), 126(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3(1) and 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The case has been assigned to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chagan Purohit for investigation.
Salvi has sought action against the two accused under the SC/ST Act and demanded a proper investigation into the alleged assault.
Congress Leaders Condemn Attack
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra condemned the alleged attack, calling it a “highly condemnable and serious incident.”
Dotasra said targeting a journalist because of his caste identity and social concerns was not just an attack on an individual but also an attack on “freedom of expression and social justice.”
He said alleged repeated atrocities against Dalits in Rajasthan raised “serious questions about law and order” and urged the government to immediately arrest the accused, conduct a fair investigation and provide security to Salvi.
“Atrocities and tyranny against the Dalit community and journalists will not be tolerated at any cost,” Dotasra said.
Congress leader and Baytu MLA Harish Choudhary and Karauli-Dholpur MP Bhajan Lal Yadav also called for the immediate arrest of the accused and adequate security for Salvi.
