New Delhi [India], June 24 (ANI): Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday condemned the alleged cruel treatment of two Dalit youths in Odisha, where they were reportedly forced to crawl on their knees, eat grass, and drink dirty water.

Gandhi called the act inhumane and linked it to caste discrimination, saying such incidents are increasing in BJP-ruled states.

He said these incident tramples the dignity of Dalits and are an attack on Baba Saheb's Constitution, a conspiracy against equality, justice, and humanity.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, 'Forcing two Dalit youths in Odisha to crawl on their knees, eat grass, and drink dirty water is not just inhumane but a barbarity rooted in Manuwadi ideology. This incident is a mirror for those who claim that caste is no longer an issue. Every incident that tramples the dignity of Dalits is an attack on Baba Saheb's Constitution, a conspiracy against equality, justice, and humanity.'

https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1937168316025438306

Gandhi demanded that the culprits be immediately arrested and given strict punishment.

'Such incidents are becoming common in BJP-ruled states because their politics is built on hatred and hierarchy. Atrocities against SCs, STs, and women have alarmingly increased, especially in Odisha. The culprits must be immediately arrested and given strict punishment. The country will run by the Constitution, not by Manusmriti,' the post reads.

Earlier on June 21, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of 'match fixing' the elections, claiming that the new instructions to delete CCTV footage of the election after 45 days of polls is just a way to 'delete evidence.'

The Leader of Opposition raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process, citing the destruction of evidence as a potential indicator of election rigging. He warned that a fixed election would be 'poison for democracy,' highlighting the need for a free and fair electoral process.

The Congress leader alleged that the CCTV footage is being hidden by changing the law, raising suspicions about the intentions behind this move. (ANI)