Justice Lost: In New York, Protesters Say Dalit Lives Matter. In Hathras, Upper-Caste Men Rally for Rapists

The Hathras gang-rape case once again brought India nose-to-nose with its entrenched problem with sexual violence and caste discrimination. Despite the victim claiming she was raped in her dying declaration, the truth of her claims is being questioned by right- wing, savarna organisations who are defending the four upper-caste men, belonging to the Thakur community, accused of the assault and murder. Protests demanding justice for the Hathras victim have been widespread, yet many including the Bajrang Dal, Karni Sena, Kshatriya Mahasabha, RSS, and even a leader of the ruling BJP party, reacted with indignation, rallying in support of the accused.

Look at these two pictures. First one is fighting for justice for Hathras victim & next is favouring the rapists. Yogi's Police lodged FIR against Chandra Shekhar for violating 144. But no action on this scoundrel, no action on Thakur's Maha Panchayat. It's #Ramrajya pic.twitter.com/M8rAh2C6xA

— Suraj Kumar Bauddh (@SurajKrBauddh) October 5, 2020

Rajvir Singh Pahalwan, a BJP leader and former MLA from Hathras, held a large gathering at his residence on Sunday, where members of the accused’s families as well as several right-wing organisations were in attendance to demand “justice” for the alleged rapists. Pahalwan contended that no rape had taken place at all, and called for a CBI investigation into the case. Those gathered reportedly demanded an FIR against the victim’s family.

The meet at Pahalwan’s house was able to take place despite the Uttar Pradesh police imposing Section 144 in Hathras, which prevents a gathering of four or more people.

WATCH: BJP leader and former Hathras MLA Rajvir Singh Pahalwan holds meeting at his place in support of #Hathras accused, says "no rape happened". Welcomes CBI enquiry to "get justice for innocents." pic.twitter.com/PvhJiB7tYO

— Asmita Nandy (@NandyAsmita) October 4, 2020

People began staging protests and holding panchayats around Hathras, threatening the victim’s kin. A man seated at one such protest raged at Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad visiting the family, and made implied threats toward him as well. All the while, local police officers are visible in the frame, standing by while the group of protesters swells.

Thakur men, who have been staging the "Savarn Jago" protest outside the Victim's village, call out @BhimArmyChief who has reached Hathras to meet the victim's family. pic.twitter.com/sam5n8t86L

— sadhika tiwari (@sadhika_tiwari) October 4, 2020

The police’s leniency toward the groups rallying in support of the accused rapists doesn’t appear to extend to those supporting the victim’s family. After arresting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi when he was on the way to meet the victim’s family last week, they reacted to Azad’s arrival in Hathras by filing a case against him and 400 other persons for violating Section 144.

Meanwhile, outside this epicentre of unequal treatment in Hathras, protests have been spreading against both the crime itself and the establishment’s apparent move to dismiss its seriousness. Even in the US, members of NGOs took to the streets in various cities like New York and Pennsylvania to demand justice for the Hathras victim.

The members of Ambedkar International Mission staged a protest at Times Square and United Nations, New York on 4th October to condemn the brutal Hathras atrocity and demanded swift justice and strict action against the accused. https://t.co/bG5IphK0WE

— Ambedkar International Mission (@AIMUSA_Info) October 5, 2020

Protest in front of UN HQ against growing atrocities on Dalits #DalitLivesMatter #Hathras pic.twitter.com/3RAlfvm5kn

— Ravi Ratan (@scribe_it) October 5, 2020

However, closer to home, it appears the woman’s alleged killers are enjoying their own fair share of support. It’s yet another sad day for India’s daughters.