Eleven-Year-Old Girl With Disabilities Raped in Uttar Pradesh

Rajat Kumar, a 25-year-old who gained national recognition for rescuing Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant from a near-fatal car accident in December 2022, reportedly attempted suicide alongside his girlfriend, Manu Kashyap, on February 9 in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. According to local officials, the couple consumed poison after their families opposed their relationship due to caste differences.
Kashyap died during treatment, while Kumar remains in critical condition at a local hospital. Reports suggest their families planned marriages for them with other partners, prompting the tragic incident. Following her death, Kashyap's mother has accused Kumar of kidnapping her daughter before the suicide attempt.
Kumar and his friend Nishu Kumar were hailed as heroes when they pulled Pant from a burning vehicle after his car crashed near Roorkee. In gratitude, Pant gifted them scooters for their bravery. The situation highlights pressing social issues in India related to caste and familial acceptance, raising concerns over mental health and the impacts of societal pressures.