7 months ago
2
Leader of Opposition successful the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi connected Friday (October 17, 2025) met the household of Hariom Valmiki, a Scheduled Caste antheral who was lynched earlier this period successful Raebareli.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Gandhi said wherever determination is atrocity against Scheduled Castes successful the country, the Congress Party volition basal determination and combat for justice. He alleged that the household was threatened and forced to accidental successful a video that Rahul Gandhi should not conscionable the family. “But it’s not important whether the victims’ families conscionable with maine oregon not; what’s important is that these radical are not criminals. They did thing wrong, and those who committed these crimes indispensable beryllium prosecuted,” said Mr. Gandhi.
Mr. Gandhi met with the household of Hariom Valmiki, slammed the Uttar Pradesh government, saying Dalit "oppression" is astatine its highest nether the Yogi Adityanath dispensation.
Mr. Gandhi spent astir 25 minutes with the household successful Fatehpur territory during which helium spoke with Hariom's begetter Gangadeen, member Shivam, and sister Kusum and offered condolences and support.
Later speaking to reporters, Mr. Gandhi charged that, "Dalit oppression is astatine its highest nether this government."
He besides cited the latest National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) figures, which shows that Uttar Pradesh leads the state successful cases of Scheduled Caste persecution.
Sharing details of the meeting, the Congress successful a station connected X successful Hindi, said, "Leader of the Opposition Shri@RahulGandhi met with the household of Shri Hariom Valmiki successful Fatehpur and shared their grief. A fewer days ago, Hariom, a Dalit, was brutally beaten to death. His household is successful immense symptom and is waiting for justice".
"What happened to Hariom Valmiki is simply a sedate offence against the Constitution of this country. Such a shallow ideology is simply a blot connected society. We volition proceed to combat against this injustice and oppression. This state volition beryllium governed by Baba Saheb's Constitution, not by 'Manuvaad'," the enactment said.
The Congress besides posted photographs of the meeting.
In a station connected X successful Hindi, the Uttar Pradesh Congress said, "Rahul Gandhi — the sanction of anticipation and enactment ('ummeed aur bharose kaa naam — Rahul Gandhi')." Hours up of the Leader of Opposition's visit, the victim's member Shivam Valmiki allegedly released a video successful with the household purportedly stated that Mr. Gandhi should not usage the sojourn for governmental purposes.
"We are satisfied with the authorities and bash not request authorities here," Shivam was seen saying successful a video.
The Congress enactment claimed that the video was an effort by the BJP to make unit and manipulate the situation.
Tight information arrangements were successful spot up for his visit, with the lane starring to Valmiki's location barricaded.
Valmiki (40) was allegedly lynched by villagers who mistook him for a thief during a nighttime vigil astatine astir 1 americium connected October 2 amid rumours that a pack was utilizing drones for surveillance to people houses for robberies.
The incidental had sparked wide outrage, with absorption parties, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, accusing the BJP authorities of failing to support Dalits and curb mob violence.
Following the attack, constabulary registered a case, and person truthful acold arrested 14 people, including the main accused who was held aft an brushwood connected October 10. Five policemen, including 2 sub-inspectors, were suspended for alleged lapses successful handling the case.
The Congress person landed astatine Chakeri airdrome and travelled astir 80 km by roadworthy to Fatehpur, wherever helium met the household members of the deceased.
Ahead of his visit, the authorities issued an connection missive to Hariom's sister, Kusum, for a contractual station arsenic a unit caregiver astatine the Fatehpur Medical College.
Valmiki's woman Sangeeta Valmiki on with her household members had met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath successful Lucknow connected October 11.
During the meeting, Adityanath had assured the household of justness and authorities support, including lodging nether the CM's Housing Scheme, a imperishable occupation for Sangeeta Valmiki, and sum nether payment schemes.
Mr. Adityanath had said the accused were arrested wrong 24 hours and that ensuring the information and dignity of Dalits and deprived sections remained the government's apical priority.
(With inputs from PTI)
