Dalit Sikh youth who faced public assault and forced haircut, gets protection from Nihang faction in Nabha
Dalit Sikh youth who faced assault and forced haircut gets protection from Nihang faction
PATIALA: A Dalit Sikh youth, who faced assault and had his hair forcibly cut last month by fellow villagers in Malakpur village of Nabha, thus prompted police action after the incident's video went viral over social media, has now received protection from members of Nihang faction, Dashmesh Tarna Dal.
Toofan Singh, a member of the Nihang Dal, claimed they did not support the immoral act of the 21-year-old Dalit youth, who allegedly messaged a minor girl, leading to the girl's family allegedly assaulting him. However, Toofan expressed concern over the accused committing a religious crime by shaving the youth's head.
The incident, which took place on May 19, raised serious concerns over caste discrimination and vigilante justice.
According to reports, the victim messaged the girl seeking friendship irking the girl's family. Despite repeatedly apologising, he was allegedly beaten by members of the girl's family and other villagers in front of the village panchayat.
The youth, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste (SC) family, is currently performing sewa (service for misconduct) of horses at the dera of the Nihangs. "The victim stated that he took Amrit (Sikh religious initiation) two years ago.
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We investigated the case related to the cutting of his hair after reading media reports. We gave him shelter at our premises. With his consent, we asked him to perform services of horses at our dera for his misconduct (messaging the girl).
He apologised and realised his mistake. He will soon take 'Amrit' as per Sikh maryada," said Toofan Singh.
The Dalit youth's father, Gurdeep Singh, said that members of the Nihang Dal came in their support.
He mentioned that his son has been performing sewa with their consent. The police have so far arrested some accused in this case.
The village sarpanch, who was present at the scene during the incident, was also arrested by the police, although he claimed to have tried to stop the mob from assaulting the youth but in vain. However, in a recent development, the court granted bail to the village sarpanch. The victim Dalit youth also stated in court that the sarpanch had no role in the attack.
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