Dalit Labourer Attempts Self-Immolation Following Alleged Caste-Based Assault in Muzaffarnagar
A 22-year-old Dalit man from Agra has sustained severe burn injuries after he set himself on fire in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred following a distressing altercation with a local farmer who allegedly assaulted him and hurled caste-based slurs in public.
Incident Details and Police Response
The tragic event took place in Gangdhari village under the Khatauli police station jurisdiction around 9 PM on Friday. According to police reports, CCTV footage has surfaced online showing the victim, identified as Himanshu Kumar, pouring petrol on himself and igniting it.
Khatauli DSP Ramashish Yadav stated that local residents quickly intervened, dousing the flames and rushing Himanshu to a nearby hospital. "Doctors referred him to a higher medical centre where he is currently undergoing treatment. We can confirm his condition is now stable," DSP Yadav reported.
Background of the Altercation
Himanshu's brother, Bittu, filed a formal police complaint detailing the events leading to the self-immolation attempt. According to the complaint, Himanshu worked as a labourer in the fields of a local farmer named Gaurav, also known as Tinku.
"On Friday, Gaurav asked Himanshu to load flowers into a cart. When my brother refused this demand, Gaurav physically assaulted him with a slap," Bittu told police investigators. "The public humiliation and insult proved too much for Himanshu to bear, leading him to take this extreme step."
Legal Action and Investigation
Police have registered a comprehensive case under multiple legal provisions:
- Section 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 108 of the BNS for abetment to suicide
- Section 3(2)(V) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
DSP Yadav confirmed that authorities have arrested the accused farmer, Gaurav, and that further investigation into the matter is actively underway. The case highlights ongoing concerns about caste-based discrimination and violence in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh.
The incident has drawn attention to the psychological impact of public humiliation and caste-based abuse, particularly on vulnerable community members. Local authorities emphasize that the legal process will proceed thoroughly to ensure justice in this sensitive case.
