NBC News: Alleged rape and murder of 9-year-old Dalit girl prompts protests in India

The girl belonged to one of Hinduism’s most oppressed castes and was found dead near a Delhi crematorium Sunday night.

Anger mounted in parts of India on Wednesday after four men were arrested and charged with rape and murder in the death of a 9-year-old girl, whose killing has brought into focus both rampant sexual violence and caste prejudice in the country.

The girl, who has not been named by authorities and belonged to the Dalit community, one of Hinduism’s most oppressed castes, was found dead near a Delhi crematorium on Sunday night, Ingit Singh from Delhi Police’s South West District told NBC News over the telephone.

Her whole body was burnt apart from her ankles and feet, he added.

Four men, including the crematorium’s priest, were arrested early Monday on suspicion of rape, murder and destruction of evidence, Singh said.

Protests have been gathering momentum in the capital, New Delhi, since the news first broke of the child’s killing. Hundreds of people, including students, activists and human rights watchers, gathered near the city’s historic Jantar Mantar monument.

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