A disturbing video has circulated, showing a group assaulting an individual and forcing him to lick shoes or feet, with claims that it is a caste-based crime against a Dalit in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli. However, the police have confirmed that both the victim and the accused belong to the general caste. They described both individuals as having criminal tendencies, indicating that the incident is unrelated to caste issues.
The video from Raebareli circulated with casteist claims
Several users, influencers and propagandists have circulated the video and made casteist claims.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter) propagandist account @APVNews_ wrote. Raebareli: Dalit youth made to lick shoes, video goes viral. A video is going viral on social media in which it can be seen that some people are beating up a Dalit youth and making him lick shoes. It is being said that the Dalit youth is a resident of Savaiya Raje of Unchahar police station. On the basis of the video, the police have registered a case against 12 named and 3 unknown persons.
Samajwadi Party’s official IT-cell account (@MediaCellSP) also disseminated the video and wrote. Atrocities on Dalits in Yogiraj Shame on CM Yogi and BJP government #BJP_is_not_wanted In Yogiraj, incidents of injustice, exploitation, and atrocities against Dalits and backward classes have increased rapidly. CM Yogi is a staunch casteist and promotes caste animosity. In Yogiraj, incidents of atrocities against Dalits and backward classes by a particular caste under government protection have increased, which is shameful and condemnable.
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @surya_samajwadi, @iamAKstalin, @Manoj_Yadav_, @azizkavish, @PplOfCongress, @bahujansamaj11, @Kush_voice, @agupta_office, @Sheetal2242,
The truth about the viral video from Raebareli, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the sensitive video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the video and found that the video was not related to caste-based hate crimes against a Dalit.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed a relevant keyword search on Google. This led us to the Raebareli police‘s official statement on X. According to the police, both the accused and victim belong to the general caste. Both the plaintiff and the defendant are persons of criminal tendency, and the incident is unrelated to Dalit individuals.
During research, we found a report regarding the incident. According to the report, The victim has been identified as Aman Singh. He said that on August 21, he was returning home on his bike. On the way, a car hit his bike. After this, the people in the car dragged him at gunpoint and made him sit in the car. The goons kidnapped him and took him to a deserted place. There they beat him with kicks and sticks. After this, they even made him lick their shoes.
As per the report, a case has been filed against Chhotu Singh, Pinku Singh, Deepak Soni, Udit Singh, Vipin Singh, Mohit, Ankit, Veer Singh, Sachin Soni, Mani Soni, Roop Chand Agrahari, Ayush and three other unidentified persons and investigation is underway.
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the video doesn’t depict crimes against a Dalit individual as claimed by the users.
Intent
Social media users, influencers and propagandists are circulating sensitive videos with misleading claims to set their narrative based on caste.
Conclusion
Claim– The viral video shows a caste-based hate crime against a Dalit individual in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh.
Fact– The accused and victim belonged to the same caste (General caste), nothing to do with hate crime.
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