Elderly Dalit forced to lick 'urine' in Lucknow; UP govt orders probe, vows strict action
Lucknow (PTI): A probe has been launched into the incident where a Dalit elderly man was allegedly made to lick his urine here, and the guilty would not be spared, the Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said on Wednesday.
"The government is sensitive to such incidents and stands firmly with Dalits, the poor, and the deprived. Whoever is found guilty will face strict action. A detailed investigation is being conducted," Pathak told reporters here.
On October 20, a 60-year-old Dalit man, Rampal Rawat, was allegedly forced to lick the ground near Sheetla Temple in the Purani Bazaar area under Kakori Police Station area, after being accused of urinating there, police said.
Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad condemned the act, calling it a "shameful display of caste-based mindset."
"This is not just a crime but a naked exhibition of centuries-old casteist and feudal mentality. Accused RSS worker not only humiliated the elderly man with casteist slurs but also forced him to lick the ground," Azad said in a post on X.
The Dalit leader demanded the arrest of the accused under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and government protection and compensation for the victim.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged, "Being a Dalit has become a crime under the BJP rule."
He said a party delegation would soon meet the victim and his family.
On Tuesday, in a post in Hindi on X, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "Someone's mistake doesn't mean they should be punished with humiliating, inhumane punishment. Change alone will bring about a change!"
The Congress in an X post denounced the violence and alleged that the perpetrator was an RSS worker.
"In Lucknow, an RSS worker forced an elderly Dalit man to lick his urine. The elderly man was sitting in a temple courtyard when, due to illness, he accidentally urinated.
"An enraged RSS worker rushed to the scene and, while hurling casteist slurs at him, forced him to lick the urine," the party said.
Police, however, said the accused has no links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a right-wing outfit.
The Congress, all the same, blamed the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party for the atrocious act and said it was a consequence of their 'Manuvaadi' ideology.
"This incident, which took place in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, is a blot on humanity. The perpetrators should receive the harshest punishment.
"This incident is a symbol of the RSS-BJP's anti-Dalit mentality. Hatred for Dalits runs in their blood. This is why they want to abolish the Constitution and implement 'Manuvaad' in the country, so that they can exploit people on the basis of caste," it said.
The accused, Swami Kant, alias Pammu, has been arrested.
Rampal's grandson, Mukesh Kumar, claimed that his grandfather had had breathing difficulties and that he accidentally urinated while coughing.
"My grandfather has breathing difficulties. If he does not take the prescribed medicines, he may not survive. Yesterday evening, he started coughing, and he accidentally urinated. After this, Pammu came there and started hurling casteist words at my grandfather," he said.
Mukesh Kumar said that his grandfather got frightened, and when he was asked to lick the urine, he licked it.
After this, the accused made his father wash the spot, he claimed.
He also said his grandfather did not tell anyone about the incident the night it happened.
Mukesh Kumar said that the main temple was at least 40 metres from the spot where his grandfather was accused of urinating.
Rampal, in his complaint, said he was drinking water at Sheetla Maataa Mandir in the Kakori area of Lucknow on Monday evening, when Swami Kant accused him of urinating there.
"I said that I had not urinated, and water had fallen there. But, he (Pammu) did not relent and hurled casteist abuses at me. He threatened me and made me lick it," he said.
Swami Kant has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and under provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Asked whether the Dalit man was actually made to lick the urine, a police source told PTI, "This is a matter of investigation."
"The victim is saying he was made to lick the ground, while the accused was saying that he was not made to lick, but to touch it. A case has been registered against the accused, and he has been arrested," the source said.
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Delhi CM inaugurates Atal Canteens, offering Rs 5 meals
New Delhi (PTI): The Atal Canteens, inaugurated on Thursday to mark the 101st birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, will offer nutritious meals for just Rs 5.
The initiative aims to provide affordable and nutritious meals to workers, the poor, and other needy residents of the national capital. The government has allocated Rs 104.24 crore for the operation and management of this ambitious scheme.
Each Atal Canteen will serve approximately 1,000 meals per day, benefiting over 1,00,000 people daily across Delhi, said an official statement.
Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, along with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, inaugurated an Atal Canteen near 'Apna Bazaar' in Nehru Nagar, Lajpat Nagar.
Gupta, along with ministers and dignitaries, also partook of a meal at the Atal Canteen and directed officials to ensure the highest standards of food quality and hygiene.
Speaking on the occasion, Khattar said the Atal Canteens launched across Delhi on the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee represent a historic initiative inspired by the ideals of service, good governance, and human sensitivity.
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He said that the scheme is not merely a welfare programme, but a strong commitment to extending dignified support to citizens at the last mile.
By providing nutritious meals for Rs 5, the spirit of public service is being strengthened.
He added that, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi centred on service, good governance, and welfare of the poor, the initiative will ensure that no one in Delhi goes hungry.
Gupta also described the scheme as a significant step towards ensuring a life of respect and self-reliance for poor and hardworking citizens.
Recalling the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she said his leadership and commitment to good governance continue to inspire public service initiatives across the country.
She said that 100 Atal Canteens are being established across Delhi. Of these, 45 canteens were virtually inaugurated on Thursday, while the remaining 55 will become operational within the next 15 to 20 days.
The chief minister said a symbolic contribution of Rs 5 has been fixed to preserve the self-respect of beneficiaries, encourage responsible consumption, and prevent food wastage.
Each beneficiary is provided freshly cooked meals at a nominal cost of Rs 5 per plate, while the Delhi government bears Rs 25 per meal.
Under this scheme, 100 Atal Canteens are being set up across Delhi. Each canteen will serve meals twice a day.
A standardised menu has been prepared for all canteens, including nutritious items such as dal-rice, roti, and vegetables. Facilities include modern kitchens, LPG-based cooking systems, and industrial RO water plants.
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To ensure transparency and smooth operations, digital token systems, CCTV surveillance, and regular audits have been put in place. In addition, the quality of food and raw materials will be regularly tested by FSSAI and NABL-accredited laboratories to ensure safe and high-quality meals for citizens.
Each meal weighs approximately 600 grams, providing an average of 700-800 calories and 20-25 grams of protein, in line with balanced and nutritious dietary norms.
The lunch timings are from 11:30 am to 2 pm, and dinner is from 6:30 pm to 9 pm.
Approximately 700 people will gain employment under this scheme.
For the operation of Atal Canteens, 11 experienced agencies have been selected by DUSIB through a transparent tendering process.
