Odisha: Congress Launches Probe into Dalit Men’s Torture Following Cow Smuggling Accusations

Following accusations of cow smuggling, the Congress party has initiated an inquiry into the alleged torture of two Dalit men in Odisha’s Ganjam district. The victims were subjected to severe abuse, including having their heads shaved, being forced to crawl, eat grass, and drink dirty water. The incident occurred after the men were transporting a cow and calves for a family wedding dowry. A video of the abuse sparked public outrage. Initial findings point towards extortion as the attackers’ primary objective, with a demand for Rs 30,000. The Congress panel, under Rama Chandra Kadam, will visit the village to gather information and prepare a report. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, denounced the act as a violation of constitutional principles and expressed concern over increasing violence against vulnerable communities in BJP-governed regions.