Raebareli, Oct 6 (NationPress) On Monday, the Opposition launched a fierce critique of the Uttar Pradesh government regarding the alleged lynching of a Dalit youth in Raebareli on October 2, asserting that there has been a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.

The victim, known as Hariom, was brutally beaten to death by a group of locals who mistakenly believed he was a thief. A video capturing the horrific incident has gone viral online. So far, police have apprehended five individuals connected to the case.

The victim's family reported that Hariom was en route to his in-laws' residence in Dandepur Jamunapur when he was surrounded by a mob that accused him of stealing a drone and commenced to assault him.

Congress State President Ajay Rai, who visited the victim's family, criticized the Yogi Adityanath government, stating, "This is immensely tragic. This Dalit youth was viciously murdered. It highlights the increasing atrocities and injustices under this regime. Hariom Balmiki, a son of a Dalit family, was killed in such a brutal manner. His murderers claimed, 'we are Baba's people.' The Congress party stands in solidarity with the victim's family," Rai expressed.

Congress leader Udit Raj condemned the incident, remarking, "The video illustrates the savagery with which the 'Baba gang' assaulted the man. These individuals are loyal to Yogi Adityanath. They behave as though they possess a license to kill. Their objective is to reinstate caste hierarchies. The 'Baba gang' comprises murderers, rapists, dacoits, and communal criminals. I denounce this act."

Congress MP Manoj Kumar, moved by a social media video, shared, "Whenever atrocities occur against Dalit brothers, it is deeply painful. Being a member of the Dalit community, I feel immense sorrow. We spend our mornings cleaning others' homes, yet we are beaten with belts and sticks. It is heart-wrenching," he conveyed to IANS.

Senior Congress leader Pramod Tiwari asserted that the law-and-order situation in Uttar Pradesh has deteriorated to such a degree that no one feels safe, particularly those from the Dalit community who are being targeted.

"This clearly illustrates that in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, or Chhattisgarh, Scheduled Castes are not secure," he noted.

Discussing the incident, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad stated, "A Dalit who was on his way to his in-laws was mistaken for a thief. Despite repeatedly explaining his purpose, the mob brutally beat him to death. Such incidents are unimaginable in a society governed by the rule of law. People are now living in fear. Even visiting a relative's house has become perilous under Yogi's government."

SP MP Virendra Singh criticized the incident, stating, "It is tragic that even after 75 years of independence, we are still promoting Manuwad. Such individuals do not hesitate to kill the poor via mob lynching, and the government fails to act against them. Has there ever been an incident where an upper-caste person was lynched? This mentality must be eradicated, yet governments encourage it instead."

Congress MLA Aradhana Misra-Mona lambasted the BJP-led government, stating, "This is the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Ramrajya'. A young man was brutally beaten to death despite pleading for mercy. This incident underscores a pattern of impunity under the BJP, especially against Dalit communities. NCRB data indicates that Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in crimes against Dalits, yet the BJP refuses to recognize these realities."

Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput claimed that "mob lynching is a primary agenda of the BJP."

"Extrajudicial encounters, mob lynching, and atrocities in the name of caste or cow protection are hallmarks of BJP governance. Those who commit such crimes should face imprisonment and the death penalty," he added.