By Durgesh Kumar Jha

Dalit Man Killed for Using Public Tap

On November 27 last year, a harrowing episode of caste-based violence unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun. Kamlesh, a member of the Dalit community, tragically lost his life following a seemingly mundane act—his children fetching water from a public tap. That day, his children were rebuked by villagers for using the tap, a privilege begrudgingly viewed as exclusive to the upper castes.

Warned sternly against repeating such an act, the matter escalated tragically by evening. Kamlesh, returning from his fields, was mercilessly beaten by Suraj and an accomplice, armed with wooden logs and sticks, simply because his children had drawn water from that public tap. It was this innocuous act that infuriated some from the upper caste, culminating in the killing of Kamlesh.

The details of the tragic incident, as per the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Badaun police, paint a stark picture of brutality. According to the FIR, "Suraj commenced his assault on Kamlesh by hurling abuses and striking him with a stick. The blows inflicted severe head injuries on Kamlesh, all witnessed by his family and numerous villagers. Following the attack, Suraj fled the scene, leaving Kamlesh critically injured. Kamlesh was taken to a nearby hospital where, given the gravity of his injuries, he was referred to Badaun Medical College. Despite the medical efforts, Kamlesh succumbed to his injuries."

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