Daijiworld Media Network - Damoh

Damoh, Oct 12: In a disturbing incident of caste-based discrimination in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district, a young man from the Kushwaha community was allegedly forced to wash the feet of a Brahmin man and drink the water as a “punishment” for insulting him. A video of the act has gone viral, sparking outrage across the region.

The victim, Parshottam Kushwaha, was also fined Rs 5,100 and made to apologise to the Brahmin community. The incident reportedly began over a village-level dispute in Sataria village, which has a liquor ban. After Annu Pandey, a Brahmin, allegedly continued to sell alcohol and was fined, Parshottam shared an AI-generated image of Pandey wearing a garland of shoes. Though he deleted the post and apologised, some viewed it as an insult to the Brahmin community.

Local sources said members of the Brahmin community then demanded that Parshottam “atone” for the act, resulting in the humiliating ritual. Police have registered a case under several sections, including one related to acts prejudicing harmony between communities.

Both Parshottam and Annu have urged authorities and the public not to politicise the matter. “I made a mistake and have apologised. Annu Pandey is my family’s guru. Please don’t make this political,” Parshottam said. Pandey called it a “mutual” issue that had been resolved.

Despite attempts to downplay the incident, the viral visuals highlight the persistence of caste hierarchy in rural India.