A Dalit man was subjected to humiliation and physical abuse by a lineman in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonabhadra district. The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral, shedding light on the persistent issue of caste-based discrimination in India.
The victim, identified as Rajendra, was visiting his maternal uncle’s house when an electricity issue arose. Tejbali Singh, an electricity department lineman, arrived at the scene to resolve the problem. However, instead of addressing the issue professionally, Singh unleashed a series of degrading acts towards Rajendra.
Singh seated himself on a wooden bed while thrusting his right foot forward, demanding that Rajendra lick his slippers. Following Singh’s command, Rajendra squatted down on his haunches and reluctantly began licking the slippers, enduring the utter humiliation. The video also revealed that Rajendra was coerced into performing sit-ups while holding his ears.
The video further showcased Singh’s violent behaviour as he engaged in an arm-wrestling match with Rajendra, overpowering him and repeatedly slapping him while using derogatory language. He even went on to threaten Rajendra, warning him against returning to the area.
The incident came to light when the video circulated widely, prompting a public outcry. A police case has been registered against Tejbali Singh under the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Act (Prevention of Atrocity Act) 1989, along with other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
