2016 Una flogging incident
2016 Una flogging incident
The 2016 Una flogging incident refers to a brutal assault on four Dalit men in Una, a town in Gujarat, India, which garnered widespread outrage and ignited discussions surrounding caste discrimination and the rights of marginalized communities in India. On July 11, 2016, the men were publicly beaten and tortured by a group of self-proclaimed cow vigilantes for allegedly slaughtering a cow, an act that is illegal in many Indian states due to religious sentiments. The incident was filmed and subsequently went viral, leading to nationwide protests, debates about the treatment of Dalits, and calls for greater protections against violence rooted in caste. The outrage also prompted the Indian government to address issues of caste-based discrimination and revise laws related to cow protection.