Rahul Gandhi talking to Jitender, whose home was set on fire in Sunpedh village in Faridabad district in Haryana (Photo tweeted by @OfficeofRG) Rahul Gandhi talking to Jitender, whose home was set on fire in Sunpedh village in Faridabad district in Haryana (Photo tweeted by @OfficeofRG)

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the BJP-RSS combine of crushing the weak and poor. Rahul went on to blame the death of two dalit children in Faridabad district on the “prime minister’s attitude”.

Rahul met Jitender, a man belonging to the Dalit community in Sunpedh village in Faridabad district, whose home was set on fire allegedly by men belonging to the upper-caste Rajput community early Tuesday morning.

While Jitender’s wife has suffered serious injuries and is admitted to hospital, the couple’s two children died in the fire.

This is an attitude shared by PM, CM & BJP-RSS-If somebody is weak,they can be crushed.What you are seeing is the result of this attitude! — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) October 21, 2015

The Congress leader also spent time talking to local leaders and understanding their concerns.

When reporters asked him whether his visit was a mere photo-opportunity, Gandhi angrily retorted, “What do you mean it’s a photo opportunity? People are dying in this country left, right and centre. And you are saying it’s a photo opportunity. It is insulting. Not to me, but to the family who has gone through this incident.”

He also did not mince words while targeting the state government.

“These are poor and weak people. That’s why they are exploited. There is no government here that works for the poor and downtrodden,” he said.

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Police said the attack on Jitender’s home was an act of vengeance that stemmed from a year-long feud between the two communities over a Rs-2,000 mobile phone.

“The attackers were Rajputs and they had a confrontation with Dalits over a murder in October last year. They barged into our home when we were sleeping and they poured petrol from the window after locking our door from the outside. I could smell petrol and tried to wake up my wife, but by then the fire had started. My children died in the fire,” Jitender had told The Indian Express.

While three of the suspects have been caught by the police, a manhunt is on for nine others accused of involvement in the incident.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh and promised a fast probe into the incident. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has the state authorities to ensure peace in the area. CPM leader Brinda Karat had also visited the area to meet the family members of the victims.

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