India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for an end to the attacks on low-caste Indians, seeking to defuse mounting anger among Dalits over the public flogging of four villagers by cow-protection vigilantes. On Sunday (August 7) Modi described the ongoing exploitation of Dalits as shameful. ‘Why should we exploit our Dalit brothers? What right do we have for such behaviour?’ Modi said to workers of his Hindu nationalist party in the southern city of Hyderabad. ‘It is our responsibility to protect and respect the persons from society's lowest rung.’
Modi has faced criticism for remaining silent over the attack on the villagers last month by so-called cow-defenders in his home state of Gujarat. Footage showed four half-naked men tied to a car as the activists took turns to thrash them with belts and batons at a crowded marketplace. Video of the beating of the four Dalits who were taking a dead cow to be skinned went viral on social media. Violent protests erupted over the attack late last month, leaving one police officer dead.
Dalit activists have said the unrest reflects deep frustration after years of discrimination by those from higher castes. Experts say their anger could harm Modi's party's chances at elections next year in three key states, where Dalits make up a sizeable chunk of voters.
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