Dalit man killed after refusing to massage coworkers’ feet in India
Member of India's most marginalized caste communities was allegedly murdered after refusing demand rooted in expectations of social subordination
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A Dalit man in northern India was allegedly beaten to death by three coworkers after refusing to massage their feet during a drinking session, in a killing that has refocused attention on how caste hierarchies continue to shape everyday interactions and violence in the country.
The victim, 33-year-old Rajkumar, also known as Chhannu, belonged to a Scheduled Caste community — a group historically subjected to untouchability and social exclusion under Hinduism’s caste system.
Police said he was assaulted with a belt and an iron rod before his attackers allegedly abandoned his body by the roadside in an attempt to disguise the killing as a traffic accident.
The incident surfaced on Sunday after authorities received information about an unconscious man lying near Varni Jain College in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Rajkumar was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Investigators later determined that Rajkumar had attended a gathering at the residence of one of the accused in the Civil Lines area the previous night. Two other coworkers were also present.
According to police, the three men, allegedly intoxicated, ordered Rajkumar to massage their feet.
“When he refused, the three men assaulted him with a belt and an iron rod, resulting in his death on the spot,” Additional Superintendent of Police Kalu Singh said.
Police identified the accused as Samyak Rajnayak, also known as Rahi Jain, Gajendra Narwaria, alias Gajendra Singh Rajput, and Gaurav Raikwar. Officials said the men later transported Rajkumar’s body and left it near a roadside location to create the impression that he had died in a road accident.
All three suspects have been arrested.
Based on a complaint filed by Rajkumar’s mother, police registered a case under murder provisions as well as sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, legislation intended to address crimes committed against historically marginalized caste communities.
Although investigators have not publicly stated whether caste slurs were used during the assault, the allegation that a Dalit man was attacked after refusing to perform an act associated with servitude has drawn attention because of the deeply embedded social meanings attached to caste in India.
Police said the victim’s body had been sent for post-mortem examination and that further investigation into the case was ongoing.
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