An image depicting a person hanging upside down from a tree has been widely shared with false claims that it represents a caste-based hate crime against a Dalit individual in Barmer, Rajasthan. However, these allegations are unfounded. Investigations and police reports indicate that the individual, Shravan Kumar, was subjected to physical assault in connection with theft-related activities. Authorities revealed that Kumar has a history of involvement in multiple criminal cases, including two vehicle thefts and one rape case.
Sharing the image on X (Formerly Twitter) @HansrajMeena wrote, “Dalit are not safe in Rajasthan. #DalitLivesMatter”. The post has received more than 350k views, 6k likes and a significant number of engagements.
Dalit are not safe in Rajasthan.#DalitLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/IAEU1qzwch
— Hansraj Meena (@HansrajMeena) January 11, 2025
Another account @KraantiKumar also shared the image and wrote, This picture is not from Somalia, this picture is neither from Uganda nor Afghanistan. This picture is from the Barmer district of Rajasthan, the most beautiful state of India, where the ugliest incident has taken place. According to viral news on social media, a Dalit man was hung upside down from a tree and beaten and brutally assaulted. This is inhumane behavior, this is racial violence. This is casteism.
Several other users, influencers, propagandists and political workers have also disseminated the visuals and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @MukeshMohannn, @TheJonyVerma, @Radhemahwa, @BhimArmyChief, @CrimesDigest, @SurajKrBauddh, @Rehna_AntiCaste, @ambedkariteIND, @divyakumaari, @TheOutcastes
The truth behind the photo shared as caste-based claims, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the sensitive visuals and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the incident. We found that the individual was beaten over accusations of theft, not because of his caste.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed relevant keyword searches and found a Barmer Police statement and media reports (1, 2) regarding the incident. According to the police, the individual, Shravan Kumar, was subjected to physical assault in connection with theft-related activities. Authorities revealed that Kumar has a history of involvement in multiple criminal cases, including two vehicle thefts and one rape case. While the complainant has been identified as a habitual offender, it is important to emphasize that physical violence is illegal and unacceptable. Following the incident, the complainant was taken to the police station, and a formal report was filed. A case has been registered, and appropriate legal action is being pursued against those responsible for the assault.
युवक के साथ मारपीट करने का सोशल मिडिया पर वायरल विडियो के संबंध में
— Barmer Police (@Barmer_Police) January 11, 2025
पुलिस द्वारा त्वरित कार्यवाही, दो लोगो को किया दस्तयाब @PoliceRajasthan @Igp_Jodhpur pic.twitter.com/6YMtagCCyd
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the claims about caste-based hate crimes against Dalit individuals were not true.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 11, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: An image showing an individual hanging upside down from a tree has been circulated, falsely claiming it to be a caste-based hate crime against a Dalit individual in Barmer,Rajasthan. Fact is this person is accused of multiple theft and rape.(1/4) pic.twitter.com/3JhOVB3q8S
Intent
Propagandists are circulating sensitive visuals without providing the actual context to set their narrative based on caste.
Conclusion
Claim– Dalit man tortured in a caste-based hate crime in Barmer, Rajasthan.
Fact– The individual was beaten up on the charges of theft, not because of his caste. The victim individual in the video was a habitual offender and has a history of involvement in multiple criminal cases, including two vehicle thefts and one rape case.
Related Article: Fact Check: The claims about 40 Muslim hotels along the Rajasthan-Gujarat-Maharashtra highway being raided are false – D-Intent Data
