Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun has attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that his visit to UP is nothing more than political tourism.
He said that the incident in Fatehpur is extremely tragic and sensitive, but linking it to caste is unfortunate. The accused include people from all sections of society, and no one knew the victim’s caste. Rahul Gandhi is unsuccessfully trying to give it a caste-based color, he alleged.
“He is coming for political tourism after 15 days. The truth is that the family did not agree to meet him. When I and Cabinet Minister Rakesh Sachan met with the family, they were completely satisfied. Their demand for a job was immediately met, and they received justice,” the minister said.
He said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took the murder of late Hariom Ji very seriously and ensured swift justice and assistance to the victim’s family.
Minister Arun stated that 21 accused named in the mass murder have been arrested, and an encounter also took place.
He said that the Chief Minister not only took strict action against the accused but also provided all possible assistance to the victim’s family.
Hariom’s family, including his father and wife, who live separately, have been provided financial assistance, and his brother Shriom and sister Kusum have been immediately provided with outsourcing jobs.
The minister said the Yogi government is committed to both justice and compassion.
“We don’t just make statements, we also give strength to the family and will continue to stand with them,” he said.
The incident refers to the tragic lynching of Hariom Valmiki, a 40-year-old Dalit man from Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, on October 2, 2025. He was beaten to death by a mob in Raebareli’s Jamunapur village after being mistaken for a thief. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and political controversy.