LUCKNOW: In a horrific incident, an upper caste family in Jalaun slashed the nose of a Dalit for his temerity to have food along with them at a wedding. The accused are yet to be arrested.

The incident occurred at Surpati village in Madhogarh area of Jalaun. The victim was identified as Amar Singh, a labourer . Surpati is a Dalit-dominated village . Dalits are barred from even touching the utensils used by upper castes . They are also not allowed to draw water from the same well.

Amar Singh had gone with his master's family for a wedding in another village and committed the ‘crime’ of having food along with his feudal masters.

“Some people on the bride's side raised the issue with them and other guests threatened to leave without having food on discovering that a Dalit was breaking bread with them,” BSP leader Daddu Prasad said.

Once they returned to their village, they decided ‘justice needed to be done’, he said. “Tumne hamaari naak katwa di. Ab hum tumhaari naak kaatenge. (since you caused us such humiliation, you shall get equivalent punishment),” they are reported to have told Amar Singh before pinning him down and cutting off his nose with a domestic knife. A profusely bleeding Amar was rushed to Jhansi for treatment.

On being informed, Jhansi DIG AK Singh got a case registered against the named accused. No arrest has been made as the accused are ‘politically connected’, villagers alleged.

