The relief had come about after a Dalit rights activist, Sanjeev Newar, took Lokesh’s case of financial loss to the commission.

Lokesh said, “I am not very educated. I was asked for some documents like my caste certificate and bank account details, which I provided. It happened in between a slew of media interviews. I wasn’t really expecting any help.”

“The help came at a very crucial time. I had to pay for my treatment in addition to the regular school fees,” he said.

The vendor has only recently recovered and resumed work. “I suffered an internal injury as they kicked me in my back. It’s only now that I feel fit enough to go out,” he says.

Lokesh and his wife cook vegetable biryani at an earthen stove at home, that Lokesh stores on his hand cart and goes to villages within five kilometres of his house. On a good day, he earns about Rs 500.