In a disturbing incident highlighting caste tensions in Madhya Pradesh, a young man from the OBC community was allegedly forced to wash the feet of a Brahmin man and drink the water as punishment for “insulting” him. A video of the act has gone viral, sparking outrage across the region, though both parties have downplayed the matter and criticized attempts to politicize it.
A police case has been registered under several sections, including one relating to an act that prejudices communal harmony, based on a complaint filed by a member of the Kushwaha community.
According to reports, Parshottam Kushwaha, from the OBC community, was made to wash the feet of Annu Pandey, a Brahmin, in front of villagers, drink the water, apologise to the Brahmin community, and pay a fine of Rs 5,100.
The incident traces back to a village-level dispute in Sataria village, where a liquor ban had been imposed. Despite the ban, Annu Pandey allegedly continued selling alcohol. Villagers initially punished him by demanding a public apology and a fine of Rs 2,100, which Pandey complied with.
The dispute escalated when Parshottam reportedly created and shared an AI-generated image of Annu Pandey wearing a garland of shoes. Although he deleted the post within minutes and issued an apology, some villagers viewed it as an insult to the Brahmin community, giving the conflict a caste dimension.
Reports say that a group from the Brahmin community then demanded that Parshottam “atone” for his act. Under pressure, he was made to perform the humiliating ritual of washing Pandey’s feet, drinking the water, and apologizing publicly. The viral footage shows him kneeling as he carries out the act.
ये आज का हमारा समाज है तस्वीर बुंदेलखंड के दमोह की है जहां कुशवाहा समाज के युवक ने पांडे जी के पैर धोए सिर्फ इसलिए क्योंकि उनके खिलाफ एक सोशल मीडिया पोस्ट किया था मजाक बनाया था और फिर आप पूछते हैं कि जातिवाद कहां है! pic.twitter.com/dzaGxUZ1Nz
After the video spread online, both men attempted to calm the situation. In a video appeal, Parshottam said:
“I made a mistake and have apologized. Annu Pandey is my family’s guru. Please don’t make this political.”
Annu Pandey echoed similar sentiments, calling the matter “mutual” and emphasizing that it had been resolved voluntarily, stating:
“Some people are politicizing this. There is a guru-disciple relationship between us. I did not humiliate him.”
Despite their statements, the viral visuals have reignited debates over caste hierarchy and social discrimination, highlighting the deep-rooted social structures that persist in rural India.
