‘Only Kshatriyas can ride horses’: how a low-caste Indian Dalit was beaten to death for owning horse
The animal is seen as a symbol of power and wealth, and the father of the victim said people from a higher caste had previously threatened them
A young farmer from India’s lowest Dalit community has been beaten to death for owning a horse, which is seen as a symbol of power and wealth, police said Saturday.
Police have detained three upper caste men for questioning after the body of 21-year-old Pradeep Rathod was found in a pool of blood near Timbi village in Gujarat state late Thursday night.
Dalits, formerly known as “untouchables”, are among the most marginalised groups in India, where caste discrimination is outlawed but remains widespread.
Rathod’s father, who found the body, “has alleged that his son was killed by people of upper caste community of his village because he owned a horse despite being a Dalit,” deputy police superintendent Saiyed told AFP.
“We have detained three persons named in the complaint filed by Pradeep Rathod’s father for questioning.”
In his complaint, seen by AFP, Rathod’s father stated his son loved horses and he had bought him one eight months ago.
