Observers accuse opposition of being selective in outrage as Dalit minor’s death in Shimla, brutal murder in Una raise questions on law & order
S Gopal Puri
Shimla:
The opposition BJP in Himachal Pradesh, often vocal in criticising the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government over law and order issues, has drawn criticism for its complete silence on two recent sensational crime cases — one involving the alleged caste-based harassment of a Dalit minor in Shimla district and the other, the brutal murder of a bride-to-be in Una.
The selective outrage has raised eyebrows among political observers, who say the BJP’s “silence” on these crimes stands in stark contrast to its frequent attacks on the government over comparatively minor law and order incidents.
Caste allegations in Shimla: 12-year-old dies by suicide after being ‘locked’ in cowshed
In a disturbing case from Limbra village in Chirgaon in Rohru subdivision of Shimla, a 12-year-old Dalit boy d*ied after allegedly consuming poison, following harassment and assault by local women. The boy was reportedly locked inside a cowshed by three women because he, belonging to a Scheduled Caste, had entered the premises of an upper-caste household while playing.
After falling unconscious on the evening of September 16, he was rushed to a local hospital and later referred to IGMC-Shimla, where he d*ied the next night. His mother later told the police that her son was allegedly mentally and physically tortured due to his caste, pushing him to take the extreme step.
The police have registered a case under IPC sections related to abetment to suicide, assault and harassment, and also invoked the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. So far, one woman has been named in the FIR and investigations are ongoing.
Despite the grave caste angle in the incident, no senior BJP leader from the state has made a public statement condemning the act or demanding justice for the family, said an observer.
Horror in Una: Girl strangled, throat slit, body burnt
In another shocking case, the police in Una’s Bangana sub-division have recovered the knife and rope used in the murder of Anshika, a bride-to-be whose body was found partially burnt in a forest near Bhindla village.
The accused, Pravesh Kumar, allegedly first tried to strangle Anshika with a rope. When she regained consciousness and questioned him, he said, “Now everything is over.” Before using two knives to slit her throat, he poured petrol taken out from his bike on the body and set it on fire.
A basketball player with strong arms, the accused threw the murder weapons deep into the forest to avoid detection. The police, after days of searching, finally recovered the items and sent them for forensic examination.
This gruesome premeditated murder shocked the entire Una region, but once again, no major BJP leader has addressed the case publicly, nor visited the victim’s family, said the observer.
BJP’s silence sparks criticism
Political observers say the BJP’s silence on these two high-profile cases, especially when they involve vulnerable victims, caste abuse and extreme violence, reflects a selective approach to crime, speaking out only when it can corner the Congress politically.
“This isn’t just about politics, but about morality and justice. You can’t selectively raise your voice. If you demand accountability from the government on crime, you must also speak up when the victims are Dalit children or girls,” said a senior journalist in Shimla.
Congress government faces pressure too
While BJP’s silence is under the spotlight, the Congress government is also under pressure to ensure swift justice, particularly in the Chirgaon case, where caste tensions are evident. The government has promised thorough investigations in both cases, but the opposition’s lack of pressure or follow-up questions has raised doubts over the issue’s visibility in the political discourse.
