Shocking Caste Atrocity in Maharashtra's Beed as Dalit Man Thrashed, Mob Blocks Hospital Access as Cops Drag Feet on FIR

Shirapur Gat – A horrific incident of caste-based violence has shaken Shirapur Gat village in Shirur Kasar tehsil of Beed district, exposing the deep-rooted caste prejudices plaguing rural Maharashtra. Vaibhav Khandagale (32), a Dalit youth, and his family were brutally attacked by upper-caste men – simply because he had rushed a Dalit teenager to the hospital.

On the evening of June 4, Vaibhav returned home from work around 6 PM to find a Dalit teen lying unattended. While villagers from dominant castes ignored the sick boy, Vaibhav immediately took him to the hospital.

At 7:30 PM, as Vaibhav sat outside his home, 10-12 Maratha men arrived in cars and launched a savage assault. Shockingly, some attackers were his former classmates. Eyewitnesses reported the mob hurling casteist slurs: "Khup jast paisacha maj aahe ka tula? Maharanche lok lal majlet..." ("Has money made you arrogant? These Mahars [Dalits] have become too bold..."). They beat him with iron rods, stole ₹8,000 from his wallet, and even looted his mother's gold jewelry from inside the house. The attackers dragged him onto the road and continued the assault as 200 villagers watched silently – none intervened.

When Vaibhav's parents returned, his mother tried shielding him but was also abused and injured. Simultaneously, attackers assaulted the mother of the teen Vaibhav had saved, thrashing her children and threatening to kill them. The entire Dalit community was warned of social boycott if they dared complain.

Police Delay, Hospital Neglect

Speaking to The Mooknayak, Vaibhav's brother Dhananjay revealed: "Villagers blocked the road when the family members tried taking Vaibhav to the hospital. I called police helpline at 8:17 PM, but help came late. He was admitted to Beed Civil Hospital only by midnight."

Despite severe injuries, the hospital avoided filing a medico-legal case (MLC). No police official visited, though the SP office was nearby. When cops finally arrived, they interrogated the traumatized, swollen-faced victim insensitively. Shockingly, the hospital discharged Vaibhav next day without proper examination – an apparent attempt to avoid legal documentation.

At Shirur Kasar police station next day, the family was made to wait till 5 PM. Officers initially refused to register an FIR, relenting only after intense pressure at 8 PM. Meanwhile, accused families – with police present – pressured them to withdraw complaints.

In retaliation, the main accused's wife filed a bogus counter-complaint at 11 PM, alleging Vaibhav, his father and another Dalit had threatened her and stolen ₹50,000 – a claim the family calls fabricated to undermine their SC/ST Act case.

Dhananjay highlighted the village's power dynamics: "Only 4-5 Dalit homes exist among dominant Maratha households. Our community lives under constant fear – even injustice won't make them speak up."

The family demands immediate action under SC/ST (PoA) Act 1989 and a fair probe. Human rights activists have condemned the incident as emblematic of Maharashtra's rural caste terror.