Breaking News
Hathras Tragedy: Dalit Boy Found Dead, Protests Erupt Over Caste Violence
Hathras, May 12, 2025 – A 7-year-old Dalit boy, missing since Thursday, was found dead in a field in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district on May 10, his limbs tied and body covered in injuries. The horrific discovery has sparked protests and renewed allegations of caste-based violence, echoing the 2020 Hathras gangrape-murder that shocked the nation.
The Incident
The Class 1 student vanished on May 8 after going out to play in his village, roughly 500 meters from home, per Times of India. Two days later, his body was found with rope marks on his wrists and ankles, severe bruises, and multiple injury marks, suggesting a brutal attack, per Hindustan Times. The family, devastated, suspects a pre-planned crime and has criticized the police for a slow initial response, though no specific motive or caste-based allegations are confirmed, per Times of India.
Police Response
Hathras police have registered a case under IPC Section 302 (murder) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, per Times of India. DSP Sadabad Himanshu Mathur confirmed the body was sent for postmortem, with viscera preserved to determine the cause of death. Forensic teams and a dog squad scoured the site, and four police teams are investigating, but no arrests have been made, per Times of India.
Protests and Public Outrage
The boy’s death triggered protests in Hathras, with locals demanding justice and swift action, per Hindustan Times. The incident has reignited memories of the 2020 Hathras case, where a 19-year-old Dalit woman was gangraped and murdered, sparking nationwide outrage, per Wikipedia. On X, users expressed grief and anger, with one post stating, “Another Dalit life lost, when will this stop?” per @nabilajamal_. No political visits or bandhs are reported, but tensions remain high, per Times of India.
Why It Matters
Hathras has become a flashpoint for caste-based violence, with the 2020 case exposing systemic issues in Uttar Pradesh, per Wikipedia. The National Crime Records Bureau reported 50,291 crimes against Scheduled Castes in India in 2020, with Uttar Pradesh leading, per News18. The boy’s death underscores ongoing challenges in addressing caste discrimination, despite legal protections like the SC/ST Act, per Hindustan Times.
What’s Next?
The investigation continues, with police pursuing leads to identify the perpetrator, per Times of India. No court hearings or compensation announcements are confirmed, but additional police have been deployed to maintain order, per Hindustan Times. The case’s outcome could further fuel demands for systemic reforms to protect Dalit communities.
