A brutal lynching in Raebareli has left the nation reeling, as a Dalit youth named Hariom was beaten to death by a mob in a case of mistaken identity. The horrific incident, captured in a chilling video, has ignited fury and grief, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi personally reaching out to the victim's family to offer solace and demand swift justice.

Hariom, a young man reportedly struggling with mental health issues, was walking to his in-laws’ home in Dandepur Jamunapur on Saturday when a group of men surrounded him. Mistaking him for a member of a supposed gang using drones to mark homes for theft, the mob unleashed a savage attack, pummeling him with belts and sticks. In his final moments, Hariom’s desperate cries of “Rahul Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi” echoed through the chaos, a plea for help that went unanswered as his attackers—some allegedly claiming allegiance to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath—continued their assault. Hariom succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

Pawan Khera, head of the Congress’s media and publicity department, expressed profound sorrow and rage in a Sunday post on X. “This heartbreaking and enraging tragedy wounds deeply,” he wrote, noting that Gandhi, Raebareli’s MP, considers the constituency his family. Despite being on a four-nation tour in South America, Gandhi spoke directly with Hariom’s father and brother, pledging unwavering support during their “unbearable grief.” Khera emphasized Gandhi’s alarm at the growing normalization of mob violence in India, vowing that “such violent elements must face their legal end. Justice must be served.”

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Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed amplified the outrage, pointing to a disturbing video of the lynching circulating online. She condemned the attackers’ reported boasts of supporting Yogi Adityanath, accusing the BJP’s “double engine” government of Modi and Yogi of fostering a climate of hate. “Muslims, women, Dalits, and OBCs—none are safe under this regime,” Mohamed declared on X, highlighting a broader pattern of violence against marginalized communities in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

Raebareli police acted swiftly, arresting five suspects on Saturday in connection with the killing. Authorities confirmed that Hariom’s death stemmed from a tragic misunderstanding, with no evidence linking him to any criminal activity. The arrests have done little to quell public anger, as the video of Hariom’s final moments—his cries for Rahul Gandhi juxtaposed against the mob’s brutality—continues to fuel demands for accountability.

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