Rahul Gandhi Alleges Threats After Meeting Dalit Lynching Victim’s Family in Uttar Pradesh

New Delhi: congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed he was threatened after visiting the family of Hariom Valmiki, a Dalit man from Fatehpur who was lynched in Raebareli earlier this month. The incident occurred on October 2 near Jamunapur village, where locals allegedly mistook Valmiki for a robber and brutally beat him to death.

After meeting the grieving family on Friday, Rahul Gandhi addressed the media, stating that the Uttar Pradesh government had intimidated the victim’s relatives and warned them against meeting him. “The crime was not committed by the family; they are victims of a horrific injustice. Yet, they are being treated like criminals. They are not even allowed to leave their home. They are under threat,” Gandhi said.

He further added, “The family informed me that government officials had explicitly instructed them not to meet me. This level of intimidation is unacceptable.” Gandhi also highlighted the family’s hardships, mentioning that one of Valmiki’s daughters is awaiting surgery and struggling to get proper medical treatment. He accused the government of virtually placing the family under house arrest.

“Across the country, Dalits continue to suffer atrocities, rapes, and murders. I urge the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to ensure justice for Hariom Valmiki’s family. The culprits should not be protected – they must face strict action,” Gandhi stated firmly.

Family claims satisfaction with state government’s action

Earlier in the day, a video surfaced showing members of the Valmiki family refusing to meet the Congress leader. Hariom’s younger brother said the family did not want Rahul Gandhi to visit “for political reasons,” expressing satisfaction with how the state government handled the case.

“My sister was offered a government job by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Ministers when they visited our house. The accused are behind bars, and we are content with the administration’s response. We request Rahul Gandhi and other politicians not to visit us for political gain,” stated Valmiki’s brother.

Meanwhile, Kusum Devi, Hariom’s sister, received an appointment letter for a position as a staff nurse at Amar Shaheed Jodha Singh Attaiya Thakur Dariyav Singh Medical College in Fatehpur under the state’s outsourcing scheme.

Posters reject political visits ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s arrival

Before Rahul Gandhi’s visit, posters were seen near the Valmiki residence with bold messages saying, “We do not need your sympathy; the government has done enough. We are satisfied.” Several Congress workers were later spotted on camera removing these posters, sparking political debate online.

Details of the lynching incident

According to police reports, on the evening of October 2, Hariom Valmiki was traveling along the Unchahar–Dalmau route to visit his in-laws when villagers intercepted him near Jamunapur. Mistaking him for a thief, they allegedly attacked him with sticks and iron rods, leading to his death on the spot. The brutal killing triggered outrage across the nation and renewed discussions about mob justice and caste-based violence in Uttar Pradesh.

Police action and political fallout

Opposition parties, including the Congress and Samajwadi Party, accused the ruling BJP government of failing to protect Dalit citizens and curb rising mob violence. The Uttar Pradesh Police later arrested 14 individuals in connection with the case, including the prime accused, who was caught during a confrontation on October 10.

In response to alleged lapses in the initial Investigation, five police officers-including two sub-inspectors-were suspended. Officials, however, urged the public not to frame the event purely as a caste issue, noting that those arrested belonged to multiple castes, including Dalits and backward communities.

Growing concern over Dalit safety and justice

The Raebareli lynching has reignited conversations about systemic caste discrimination and mob violence in India. Rights groups and opposition leaders have demanded stronger measures to safeguard Dalit communities and ensure timely justice in such cases. Rahul Gandhi’s visit, though met with controversy, has once again placed the issue of Dalit safety and government accountability under national scrutiny.