Claims circulating on social media allege that a young Dalit boy took his own life after facing humiliation, torture, and inaction from the police against the accused. The incident is being framed as a caste-based hate crime, emphasizing the boy’s Dalit identity. However, according to the police, both the victim and the accused were from the same community. The incident occurred in Basti, Uttar Pradesh.
Making a post on X (Formerly Twitter) propagandist account @ItsKhan_Saba wrote, “Basti, Lucknow: A Dalit boy Aditya (17) died by suicide by hanging himself at his residence after facing humiliation in a birthday party in Kaptanganj police station area of Basti on Dec 23.”
#Basti, Lucknow : A Dalit boy Aditya (17) died by suicide by hanging himself at his residence after facing humiliation in a birthday party in Kaptanganj police station area of Basti on Dec 23.
— Saba Khan (@ItsKhan_Saba) December 24, 2024
Vinay Kumar had invited Aditya to a female friends birthday party, where he was… pic.twitter.com/QWIVu9CbWg
Another propaganda @ambedkariteIND also made a post and wrote, “Horrific A Dalit minor in Uttar Pradesh’s Basti district died by suicide after reportedly feeling humiliated from being stripped, beaten, and urinated upon at a birthday party.”
#Horrific A Dalit minor in Uttar Pradesh's Basti district died by suicide after reportedly feeling humiliated from being stripped, beaten, and urinated upon at a birthday party. pic.twitter.com/6hesZcaTxT
— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) December 26, 2024
Several other users, influencers, propagandists and political workers have also disseminated the casteist claims. Their posts can be seen here, @RanaAyyub, @BhimArmyChief, @originalsibani, @madanjournalist, @shivvayaa
The truth behind the claims from Basti Uttar Pradesh, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the claim made by the users and influencers came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the incident. We found that the accused and victim belonged to the same caste.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed relevant keyword searches and found Basti Police’s statement and media reports regarding the incident. According to the police and media reports, the victim and accused belong to the same caste.
#BastiPolice थाना कप्तानगंज क्षेत्रांतर्गत एक युवक द्वारा दुर्व्यवहार से क्षुब्ध होकर आत्महत्या कर लेने पर पुलिस द्वारा की गई कार्यवाही के संबंध में पुलिस अधीक्षक बस्ती द्वारा दी गई बाइट- pic.twitter.com/EtMhUzNNop
— BASTI POLICE (@bastipolice) December 24, 2024
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the incident was not related to caste-based hate crimes as portrayed by the propagandists.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) December 25, 2024
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Claims circulating on social media allege that a young Dalit boy took his own life after facing humiliation, torture, and inaction from the police against the accused. The incident is being framed as a caste-based hate crime, (1/2) pic.twitter.com/pAoa6iDNCn
Intent
Influencers, propagandists and political workers are circulating misleading claims about the suicide of a young boy in Basti, Uttar Pradesh to set their narrative.
Conclusion
Claim– A Young Dalit boy committed suicide after facing humiliation and torture in Basti, Uttar Pradesh.
Fact– The accused and the deceased belonged to the same community. Nothing to do with caste-based hate crimes.
Related Article: Fact Check: Football player commits suicide in Bangladesh, false communal claims circulate – D-Intent Data
