Congress Targets Yogi Over Raebareli Lynching, Seeks SIT Investigation

The horrific lynching of Hariom, a Dalit man in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, has ignited widespread condemnation, with the Congress party demanding Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's resignation and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The incident, where Hariom was brutally beaten to death by a mob mistaking him for a drone thief, underscores a alarming collapse of law and order in the state, Congress leaders claim.

Hariom, described as mentally unstable, was en route to his in-laws' home in Dandepur Jamunapur when he was surrounded and attacked with belts and sticks. Despite pleading for mercy and invoking the name of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the mob mocked him, with some reportedly saying, "Everyone here is a Baba follower," according to Congress SC Department chief Rajendra Pal Gautam.

Speaking at a press conference at Congress' Indira Bhawan headquarters, Gautam, joined by party MP Imran Masood, highlighted the rising tide of Dalit oppression in Uttar Pradesh. Citing NCRB data, he noted that in 2023, the state recorded 15,130 cases of crimes against Dalits—26.2% of the national total of 57,789 cases. "This incident is proof that law and order in Uttar Pradesh has completely collapsed," Gautam declared.

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The Congress has put forth several demands: Adityanath’s immediate resignation, Rs 1 crore compensation for Hariom’s family, a government job for one family member, and an SIT probe to ensure justice. Gautam questioned whether the state government respects India’s Constitution, asking, "Have these beasts been given an open license to punish without investigation?"

MP Imran Masood echoed these concerns, alleging that the Constitution is under threat and that crimes against Dalits and women are at an all-time high under the BJP government. He criticized the continued use of bulldozers despite Supreme Court directives, claiming it reflects the state’s failure to uphold the rule of law.

Rahul Gandhi, Raebareli’s MP, has personally reached out to Hariom’s father and brother, expressing solidarity during their time of grief. AICC media head Pawan Khera, in a post on X, described the lynching as "heartbreaking and enraging," noting that Hariom’s final cries invoked Gandhi’s name. Gandhi, currently on a four-nation South America tour, has vowed to ensure justice, condemning the "dangerous normalisation of lynching" in India.

The Raebareli incident has intensified scrutiny on Uttar Pradesh’s governance, with the Congress accusing the BJP of fostering an environment where such atrocities thrive. As calls for accountability grow, the nation watches to see if justice will be served for Hariom and his grieving family.

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