Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday met the family of Raebareli lynching victim Hariom Valmiki in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district and assured that he would stand with Dalit victims across the country.
Valmiki had died after he was stripped, beaten with belts and canes at Raebareli district’s Dandepur Jamunapur village on October 2 by a mob of about a hundred people who allegedly mistook him for committing thefts using drones.
The Congress MP, who represents the Raebareli constituency, said, “A few days ago, a Dalit officer committed suicide. I went there… and today, I have come here. This family has not committed a crime… but they are being treated like criminals and held captive in their home.”
Before his arrival, a political row erupted over a video allegedly released by the victim’s family that asked him and other leaders “not to come and do politics”.
The Congress alleged that the video was released under pressure from the government which was afraid and wanted to take away the rights of the Opposition to even meet victims of crimes.
In the video, Hariom’s brother, with his father and sister standing next to him, was heard saying, “I am Shivam Valmiki, younger brother of Hariom Valmiki, who was beaten to death in Raebareli. Ministers of the government had visited us, and gave us financial assistance and jobs. I am satisfied with the action taken by the government. My brother’s killers have been put behind bars. So we request Rahul Gandhi and other party leaders not to come here to do politics.”
After meeting the family, Gandhi said Dalits were facing atrocities across the country. “They are being murdered, and raped. I want to tell the Chief Minister to give them justice, respect them and take action against criminals instead of protecting them. I came here and heard their pain. My party and I might not be in power but we would assist them wherever needed.”
Assuring he would stand with Dalit victims across the country, he said, “Jahan bhi Daliton par atyachar hoga, Congress party milegi aur jahan bhi madad kar sakte hain karenge aur ladenge (Wherever atrocities are taking place against Dalits across the country, I and my party would reach them, assist them and would fight with them for justice).”
Earlier in the morning, posters had come up on the walls of houses in the locality where Hariom’s home is located which read, “Dard ko mat bhunao, vapas jao (Don’t capitalise on our pain. Go back).”
Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi alleged, “The [family’s] statement was given under pressure from the government. Rahul Gandhi ji met the family members but the government tried to create a narrative. They did it in the past, too, when they stopped our party leaders from meeting Hariom’s family to give assistance but instead sent their ministers. The government wants to act as a dictator and take away the rights of the Opposition.”
He added, “The BJP is afraid and does not want Rahul Gandhi to visit a Dalit victim.”
Hitting back at Gandhi, UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Friday accused the Congress leader of engaging in “political drama” instead of showing genuine concern for the victims.
In a post on X, Maurya wrote, “Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, you should be ashamed. This is nothing but your photo-op programme. ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Samman, aur Suraksha’ are our government’s top priorities. Several people involved in the case have already been arrested.”
“You have no concern for the pain of the victim’s family. Stop the drama; the public knows the reality of the Congress and the Gandhi family who shed crocodile tears,” he added.
State Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun, who had earlier visited the family, also hit out at Gandhi, saying his visit was nothing more than political tourism. He said the incident in Fatehpur is tragic and sensitive, but linking it to caste is unfortunate. The Yogi Adityanath government ensured quick justice and financial aid to the victim’s family, he said, adding, “Rahul Gandhi is merely engaging in the politics of shedding tears. He is coming on a political tour after 15 days. The truth is that the family refused to meet him. When Cabinet Minister Rakesh Sachan and I met the family, they were completely satisfied. Their demand for a job was immediately fulfilled, and justice was delivered.”
On October 2, Hariom was on his way to Amiliya ka Purva village where his estranged wife and daughter lived with his father-in-law. One of the videos of the lynching showed him mentioning Rahul Gandhi’s name when he was being beaten up.
Police have arrested over 14 accused in the case so far.
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had visited their home and assured the family of the party’s support. Later, two BJP ministers, Rakesh Sachan and Asim Arun, had met the victim’s wife as well as his father, brother and sister. They gave them financial assistance along with jobs for his wife and sister.
Last week, Hariom’s wife met UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accompanied by MLA from Unchahar Manoj Pandey.
