Saharanpur: A dispute over payment for vegetables has escalated into assault, forced hair shaving and public humiliation in Kamalpur village under Fatehpur police station of Saharanpur district.
The complainant, identified as Sushil Sharma, has alleged that five people, on the night of July 29, assaulted him, abused him and threatened him before forcibly cutting his choti (traditional hair tuft). He has also alleged that the incident was recorded on video and subsequently circulated on social media.
According to Sharma, he had gone to the house of a woman identified as Sumitra Devi to settle accounts related to vegetable crops. He claimed that around Rs 50,000 was due to him for his okra and other produce. During the alleged confrontation, Naresh, Vijaypal, Lavish, Baburam and Anshul reportedly arrived carrying sticks.
Sharma alleged that he was beaten and threatened with having his hair cut. He further claimed that Anshul brought a trimmer and, with the involvement of the others, his choti was cut. He said he was subsequently brought outside and humiliated in front of people.
The complainant has made a further allegation that his standing vegetable crop was destroyed the following day using a tractor and harrow, causing an estimated loss of around Rs 50,000. He claimed that when he questioned the destruction, he was again abused and threatened.
Following the allegations, members of the Brahmin community, including Brahmin Samaj Sangh national president Dr Harsh Vardhan Sharma, approached the Saharanpur SSP’s office seeking the arrest of the accused and strict action. The group warned of a protest if the authorities failed to act.
However, a different claim has also emerged regarding the viral video. According to the alternate version, Sharma had allegedly gone to Kamalpur at night to meet a girl and was caught by villagers, following which he was assaulted and his hair was cut. This version has not been independently verified.
The allegations from both sides remain subject to police investigation. The precise circumstances surrounding the incident and the identities and roles of those involved are expected to become clear after the authorities examine the available evidence, including the viral video and the parties’ statements.
