Bhubaneswar/ New Delhi, July 2: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has taken suo motu cognisance of a deeply disturbing incident reported in the media, wherein two individuals belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community were brutally assaulted and publicly humiliated in Odisha's Ganjam district. The incident reportedly occurred on June 26, 2025, and involved serious violations of human dignity and fundamental human rights.
According to media accounts cited in an official NHRC press release, the victims were not only physically assaulted by a group of individuals from another community but were also subjected to degrading treatment on mere suspicion of illegally smuggling cattle. The assailants allegedly forced the victims to eat grass and drink water from a roadside drain. Further compounding the humiliation, the perpetrators reportedly snatched the victims’ mobile phones and forcibly shaved their heads in public view.
Terming the incident a grave human rights concern, the NHRC has observed that, if the allegations are accurate, they represent a serious breach of constitutional and human rights protections guaranteed to all citizens, particularly to members of the Scheduled Castes, who have long been marginalized and subjected to systemic discrimination.
In response, the Commission has issued formal notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of Odisha. The notices call for a comprehensive and detailed report on the incident to be submitted within two weeks. The Commission has specifically sought clarity on the following points:
- The current status of the police investigation,
- Actions taken so far against the alleged perpetrators,
- Whether any arrests have been made,
- The nature of any support or compensation extended to the victims.
The NHRC has reiterated that acts of caste-based violence and mob vigilantism are not only illegal but also deeply detrimental to the spirit of equality, justice, and fraternity enshrined in the Constitution of India. It emphasized the state’s responsibility to protect vulnerable communities from such targeted attacks and ensure swift and meaningful justice.
