Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday met the family of Hariom Valmiki, a Scheduled Caste man who was lynched earlier this month in Raebareli over allegations of theft.
Gandhi spent about 25 minutes with the family in Fatehpur district, during which he spoke with Hariom’s father Gangadeen, brother Shivam, and sister Kusum, offering his condolences and support.
Speaking to the media, Gandhi leveled serious allegations against the state administration, claiming it threatened the family not to meet him.
“The family has been locked inside their home and is being intimidated,” he said. “They told me the government threatened them this morning, warning them not to meet me. They were even forced to record a video,” he added, slamming the Uttar Pradesh government and alleging that Dalit oppression is at its peak under the Yogi Adityanath administration.
Gandhi accused the Uttar Pradesh administration of intimidating the victim’s family and attempting to block their meeting with him.
“The administration in UP is busy harassing the victim’s family. They even tried to prevent them from meeting me. This is the same systemic failure that repeatedly protects the culprits while victimizing the survivors,” he asserted.
Gandhi emphasized that the focus should not be on whether the family met him, but rather on justice for the victim.
“Whether or not they meet me is irrelevant. What truly matters is that those responsible for this brutal crime are held accountable and face strict action.”
Just an hour before Gandhi’s arrival, Hariom’s brother Shivam Valmiki appeared in a video alongside other family members, urging the Congress leader not to politicize the incident and expressing satisfaction with the government’s response so far.
Hariom Valmiki was brutally assaulted and killed on October 2, allegedly over suspicions of theft. A disturbing video emerged two days later, showing him being beaten as he mentioned Rahul Gandhi’s name. A voice from the mob responded, “Everyone here is with Baba,” referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Gandhi reached Kanpur at 8:30 a.m. and travelled to Fatehpur by road. During the meeting, emotions ran high. Hariom’s mother broke down in tears, prompting Gandhi to console her. His sister wept upon seeing him, and Gandhi embraced her. When he asked the father about their well-being, the elderly man folded his hands and cried. Gandhi comforted him by holding his hand and offering a hug.
Rahul Gandhi has called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure justice and uphold the dignity of a grieving Dalit family affected by the recent atrocity.
“I appeal to the Chief Minister to deliver justice, to respect this grieving family, and to take strict action against the perpetrators rather than shielding them. I came here today to hear their pain and stand in solidarity with them.”
Gandhi said that wherever there is an atrocity against Scheduled Castes in the country, the Congress Party will stand and fight for justice.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment to marginalized communities, he said:
“The Congress party will always stand with Dalit families facing injustice. We will continue this fight for justice and provide every possible support.”
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has offered a job to Hariom’s sister, Kusum Valmiki, appointing her as a contractual staff nurse at Fatehpur Medical College. Speaking to reporters, Kusum said:
“I’ve received my appointment letter, and I am very happy.”
Speaking on his official WhatsApp channel after visiting the bereaved family in Fatehpur, Gandhi raised a poignant question about the persistent dangers faced by Dalits in India:
“The brutal murder of Hariom Valmiki has shaken the conscience of the entire nation,” Gandhi said. “In the eyes of his grieving family, one painful question remains — Is being a Dalit in this country still a deadly crime?”
The murder has reignited urgent conversations about entrenched caste violence and the law enforcement system’s failure to safeguard marginalized communities. Gandhi’s remarks serve as a powerful appeal to both the government and society to confront caste-based discrimination head-on and uphold the constitutional values of justice and equality.
The call for justice for Hariom Valmiki transcends one tragedy; it symbolizes the broader struggle against social injustice that India must urgently confront.
हरिओम वाल्मीकि की नृशंस हत्या ने पूरे देश की अंतरात्मा को झकझोर दिया है।
उनके परिवार की आंखों में दर्द के साथ एक सवाल था – क्या इस देश में दलित होना अब भी जानलेवा गुनाह है?
उत्तर प्रदेश में प्रशासन पीड़ित परिवार को डराने में जुटा है। उन्होंने परिवार को मुझसे मिलने से रोकने की… pic.x.com/6a8mglGb8M
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 17, 2025