Dalits thrashed for ‘sporting moustache’ in Gujarat, one arrested

People from Rajput community thrashed two men from the Dalit community for ‘sporting moustache’ in two different states in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar in the last seven days.

Gujarat Police said, two Dalit men of a village near Gandhinagar were allegedly thrashed by people from the Rajput community for ‘sporting their moustache’ in two separate incidents.

Police said, the incidents occurred at Gandhinagar’s Limbodara village on September 25 and September 29.

The victims have been identified as Krunal Maheria, a law student, and Piyush Parmar.

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Police said, Maheria, 30, in his complaint filed with Kalol Taluka police has alleged that one Vaghela for sporting moustache.

According to Maheria, he was visiting his friend on Friday evening when Vaghela along with few other persons from the Rajput community intercepted him and verbally abused him.

“Vaghela started beating me after he stated that I cannot become a Rajput by sporting a moustache,” said Maheria.

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Police have lodged a complaint with under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 323 — punishment for voluntarily causing hurt.

Police said, “Vaghela has been arrested.”

In the second incident, Parmar had alleged that some Rajput men from the village beat him up for his moustache. On the day he was returning home after a garba programme. No arrests have been made in the attack.