Dalit assaulted for sporting moustache

Suresh Vaghela, a 22-year-old Dalit, was allegedly attacked on Sunday night by 11 upper caste Hindus in Viramgam taluka of Ahmedabad district for “sporting a moustache”. Vaghela’s sister has also been injured in the attack. Three accused have been arrested in connection with the incident, police said on Monday.

Vaghela is undergoing treatment at the Shiv Hospital for head injuries.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) D S Vyas Vaghela, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, has accused 11 members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) of attacking him.

In his complaint, the victim said that a group led by Dhama Thakor attacked him with rods and a sharp weapon. The complaint also mentions that the assailants gathered outside Vaghela’s house around 10 pm when his parents were asleep and started hurling casteist slurs over his moustache.

 Based on his complaint, a first information report (FIR) has been registered at Viramgam rural police station against six named and four unnamed persons under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.