A Dalit youth, Aniket Jatav, passed away on Friday at a hospital in Delhi, days after being brutally attacked during his birthday celebration outside his home in Rabupura, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The attack has once again raised concerns about caste-based violence and the effectiveness of law enforcement, attracting attention from political leaders ahead of the Bihar assembly elections.
Police have arrested two men, identified as Yuvraj and Jitu, in connection with the attack on October 15, while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining suspects. According to Rabupura SHO Sujeet Upadhyay, an FIR was filed on October 17 naming seven upper-caste men; two have been arrested and the others are still absconding. Investigators suspect a social media post may have sparked the attack, although Aniket’s family said the incident may have been linked to an earlier confrontation during a local Ramleela event, where Aniket had intervened when some Thakur men were abusing a friend.
Aniket, who worked as a mechanic and driver, was reportedly attacked shortly after cutting his birthday cake. His uncle Sumit, who was also assaulted, suffered visible injuries including a swollen right eye. The grief in Mohalla Ambedkar was palpable as Aniket’s body was brought home under heavy police presence, and it took nearly an hour of negotiations before the family allowed the cremation to proceed. Mourners gathered outside the house while women inside expressed their anguish with cries of sorrow.
Political leaders quickly visited the family to offer support. Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh of the BJP said he had arranged a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who assured “strict action.” Leaders from the BSP and Samajwadi Party also visited the family, promising to help. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed condemned the incident on social media, saying, “The double-engine governments have failed to safeguard Dalit lives.”
