Dalit man forced to lick ground outside temple in Lucknow
A 60-year-old Dalit man, Rampal Rawat, was allegedly forced to lick the ground and then made to wash it outside a temple in Lucknow's Kakori area on October 20, 2025.
The accused, Swami Kant (also known as Pammu), reportedly hurled casteist slurs at Rawat after accusing him of urinating there.
The incident happened around 7pm amid Diwali celebrations. Rawat's grandson shared that his grandfather complied out of fear.
Accused arrested, investigation ordered
Swami Kant was arrested on October 22 and faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
While Kant claims he only asked Rawat to touch the ground, Rawat insists he was forced to lick it.
The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered an investigation, and political parties are calling for justice and support for the victim.