Daijiworld Media Network- Chhatarpur
Chhatarpur, Jun 10: In a deeply disturbing incident that has sparked outrage, a 19-year-old Dalit youth, Pankaj Prajapati, was allegedly shot dead during a scuffle at a government-run ration distribution centre in Bilhari village, Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday.
The youth, who had reportedly gone to collect his entitled ration, was caught in a heated argument with the local ration distributor, Ramsevak Arjaria. The verbal spat soon escalated as others joined in, and amid the chaos, Pankaj sustained a gunshot wound and collapsed on the spot. Though he was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors declared him brought dead.
As the investigation unfolds, police have booked three individuals in connection with the incident — including local BJP worker Praveen Pateria, his brother Naveen Pateria, and the ration distributor, Ramsevak Arjaria. They have been charged under Sections 115(2), 109(1), and 296(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The exact identity of the shooter, however, remains unclear as the probe is still underway.
Reacting sharply to the incident, Congress leader and newly appointed Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), holding the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government responsible and accusing them of enabling caste-based violence.
“Pankaj Prajapati was shot dead in broad daylight simply because he was a Dalit and had the courage to demand his rightful share,” said Gandhi in a scathing post. He used the occasion to highlight what he described as “11 years of humiliation, violence, and systemic discrimination” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Demanding immediate arrest and strict punishment of the culprits, Rahul Gandhi extended his solidarity to the bereaved family, stating, “I stand with the Prajapati family and every Bahujan in this country. This is not just about one life — it is a fight for dignity, equality, and justice. And we will win this fight at any cost.”
The tragic death of the young Dalit man has reignited conversations around caste-based discrimination and violence, particularly in rural parts of Madhya Pradesh. Authorities continue to investigate the matter even as pressure mounts from civil society and political circles for swift and impartial justice.