Fatehpur: In a highly emotional and politically charged visit, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, met the family of Hariom Valmiki, a Dalit youth who was allegedly lynched by a mob in Rae Bareli. Gandhi described the killing as a “national shock” and accused the Uttar Pradesh administration of suppressing the victim’s family.
Gandhi arrived in Fatehpur by road after landing at Kanpur’s Chakeri Airport on Friday. His visit lasted nearly half an hour, during which he met Hariom’s father Gangadin, brother Shivam, and sister Kusum at their ancestral home. Expressing deep sorrow, he pledged full support and promised that the Congress party would stand by the family in their pursuit of justice.
“Hariom’s murder has rattled the nation’s conscience,” Gandhi wrote on social media platform X. “His family’s pain is unbearable. Their question to me was heartbreaking — ‘Is being Dalit still a crime worthy of death in this country?’”
Allegations of Intimidation and Suppression
Rahul Gandhi also leveled serious accusations against the state government, alleging that local authorities tried to prevent the family from meeting him and were “pressuring the family to stay silent.”
“Justice cannot be held hostage,” Gandhi said. “The administration appears more concerned with shielding the accused than supporting the victims. The family told me they are being restricted from leaving their house and even denied medical access for a sick family member.”
He also cited recent NCRB data, claiming that Uttar Pradesh tops the list in cases of violence against Dalits.
BJP, State Government Respond
Responding strongly, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya accused Gandhi of exploiting the tragedy for political mileage. In a post on X, Maurya wrote:
“Rahul Gandhi should be ashamed. This is just a photo opportunity for him. The public sees through the drama of the Congress and the Gandhi family. We are committed to justice, and arrests have already been made in this case.”
The UP government, in an apparent move to ease tensions ahead of Gandhi’s visit, issued an offer letter to Kusum Valmiki, Hariom’s sister, for a contractual nursing job at the local medical college in Fatehpur.
Conflicting Video Statement Sparks Controversy
Hours before Gandhi’s arrival, a video surfaced featuring Shivam Valmiki — Hariom’s brother — stating that the family did not want their grief to be politicized.
“We are satisfied with the government’s support. There’s no need for politics here,” Shivam said.
However, the Congress dismissed the video, alleging it was engineered by the BJP to deflect attention from the real issue.
Priyanka Gandhi and Congress Reiterate Support
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra later shared a clip of Rahul Gandhi speaking to media after the visit. In the video, Rahul claims that government officials threatened the family on the morning of his visit, warning them against meeting him.
“They are victims, not criminals,” Priyanka added in her post. “All we want is justice for Hariom. That’s why Rahul went there — to show that we stand with them.”
