Bhubaneswar: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, today slammed the BJP government in Odisha in connection with the alleged atrocities meted out to two Dalit men in Ganjam district yesterday.

Gandhi has termed the incident as a direct assault on the principles of equality and justice as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. He also blamed the ‘Manuvadi thinking’ for the incident.

“This particular incident is a mirror to those who often claim that caste system is no longer an issue in India,” said the Congress leader in a Twitter (X) post.

According to Gandhi, the incidents of atrocities against women and people from the ST and SC communities are on the rise in BJP ruled states in the country, including Odisha.

“The state government should immediately arrest the culprits and ensure justice for the victims,” added Gandhi.

As per the allegations, two Dalit men were subjected to mental and physical torture by a group of people at Kharigumma village under Dharakote police station in Ganjam yesterday.

The two men, Bulu Nayak and Babula Nayak, of Singipur village of Dharakote block, were returning home after buying three cows to gift them as dowry during the marriage of their daughter.

A group of people stopped the duo midway and demanded money from them by accusing them of smuggling cattle.

Upon refusal, the two Dalit men were allegedly assaulted and their heads were tonsured partially. They were forced to crawl on their knees for nearly two kms. Moreover, the victims were also made to eat grass and drink drainage water.