Balotra Dalit Murder Case: A Timeline of Tragedy, Protests, and Public Outrage

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political quarters, particularly the Congress, which has accused the BJP-led state government of failing to ensure law and order.

Balotra, Rajasthan- The brutal murder of Vishanaram Meghwal, a 22-year-old Dalit youth, has sparked massive outrage in Balotra. On December 10, Meghwal was allegedly stabbed to death in broad daylight by Harshdan Charan, a known history-sheeter, following a dispute over parking space. More than 48 hours passing since the murder, the accused remains at large, further fueling public anger.

In response, Balotra witnessed a complete shutdown on Thursday, called by various community leaders. Hundreds of people gathered at protest sites, burning tires and raising slogans demanding justice. A massive rally, involving thousands of men and women, marched to the District Collector’s office, where demonstrators continued their protests, chanting slogans against the police and administration for their perceived inaction.

The protests saw participation from prominent leaders, including former legislators Goparam Meghwal, Ruparam Meghwal, Padmaram Meghwal, Madan Prajapat, Tararam Mehna, and Thansingh Doli.

Dalit rights activist Bhanwar Meghwanshi criticized the administration, stating, “The administration woke up at 1 AM to initiate talks and push for the postmortem, despite protesters sitting outside the mortuary for three days demanding dialogue. Their apathy adds to the pain caused by the accused.

During the Balotra bandh, 10,000 people marched to the SP and Collector’s offices, but both officials refused to meet them or even accept their memorandum. Frustrated, protesters left the memorandum on a clerk’s table and returned to the protest site. This is the height of obstinacy!”

The tragedy unfolded on December 10 in the Pachpadra area of Asada village, where Meghwal was fatally attacked with a knife during a dispute. Despite being rushed to Nahata Hospital in Balotra and later referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment, Meghwal succumbed to his injuries en route.

The accused, identified as Harshdan Charan, has a criminal record and is listed as a history-sheeter at the Balotra police station.

At the Collector’s office, demonstrators submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister and the President of India, demanding the immediate arrest of Harshdan Charan and stringent action against him. They also called for compensation for the victim’s family and a government job for Meghwal’s widow, who is reportedly pregnant.

The victim’s brother, in a viral video, expressed his anguish, stating, “My brother’s death has shattered my family. His unborn child will never know their father. This is not just a murder of a man but a family’s future.”

The police have formed eight teams, including officers from the Cyber Cell and District Special Team (DST), to apprehend the accused. A Deputy Superintendent of Police is leading the investigation, and authorities have assured that all efforts are being made to bring Charan to justice.

However, public dissatisfaction with the police response remains high, with allegations of inaction and bias. Demonstrators at the protest accused the administration of being insensitive to the gravity of the crime.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political quarters, particularly the Congress, which has accused the BJP-led state government of failing to ensure law and order. Former minister Hemaram Chaudhary and other Congress leaders condemned the BJP’s inability to protect marginalized communities, labeling it a reflection of systemic failure.

In a social media post, Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote: “The murder of a Dalit youth in Balotra is a glaring example of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. It is highly condemnable that even in a broad daylight murder case, the victim’s family is compelled to stage protests for the arrest of the accused.

Over the past year, crimes against Dalits, Adivasis, and backward classes have been consistently rising. The state government must take immediate action in this case and ensure justice for the victim’s family.”

The Dalit community has placed three major demands before the administration:

1. Immediate arrest of Harshdan Charan.
2. Financial compensation and government employment for Meghwal’s widow.
3. Assurance of safety and justice for Dalits in the region.

Protests have continued for three days, with community leaders refusing to call them off until their demands are met.

District officials have urged protesters to maintain peace and assured swift action. The administration has promised compensation under government norms and reiterated that the accused will be apprehended soon. Discussions between community leaders and officials are ongoing to resolve the situation.

Balotra remains tense as protests persist, underscoring the deep-rooted caste disparities and systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities in Rajasthan. The incident has become a flashpoint for discussions around justice, police accountability, and the safety of Dalits in the state.

The incident has also reignited debates about caste-based violence, with activists and community leaders calling for urgent reforms to prevent such atrocities in the future.

Courtesy: The Mooknayak

Note: This news is originally published on  themooknayak.com and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially for human rights.