Mysterious death of a 19-year-old Dalit youth in Gujarat – Did the ‘courage’ to wear clothes become the fatal reason?

A Dalit youth committed suicide by jumping into a well in Vasarda village of Banaskantha district; his family members alleged caste-based humiliation and assault.

Published on: 15 Jul 2025, 5:07 pm

Ahmedabad: A 19-year-old Dalit youth allegedly committed suicide in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district after he was allegedly beaten and humiliated by five upper caste men because he wore clothes similar to those of their community.

The victim was identified as Mahendra Kalabhai Parmar, a resident of Vasarda village in Vav taluka. He went missing on July 10. His body was recovered from a well in the village on July 12.

An FIR has been lodged at the Vav police station on the complaint of Mahendra’s uncle Bijalbhai Parmar. According to the complaint, Mahendra was beaten and abused by five people near the village panchayat office. The accused have been identified as Khetabhai Rabari, Sendhabhai Rabari, Rudabhai Rabari, Amrabhai Rabari and Lakhabhai Rabari.

The family alleges that the accused objected to the clothes worn by Mahendra, which are worn by people of his community. The family says that Mahendra committed suicide by jumping into a well after being hurt by this insult and assault.

Police have registered a case against the five accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Let us tell you that the Rabari community is traditionally cattle rearer and is included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Gujarat.