Reports alleged that two men were assaulted last week in western India's Gujarat's Limbodara village by Rajput men, which is believed to be a result of long-held beliefs by upper castes that Dalits were not supposed to sport moustaches.
On Tuesday, it was alleged another attack occurred when a 17-year-old boy - cousin of one of the men allegedly attacked last week - was slashed in the back with a blade while walking home from school, according to .
The young school student was rushed to hospital, but was in a stable condition.
Piyush Parmar (pictured left) was allegedly attacked for sporting a moustache and his cousin Digant Maheria (pictured right) was allegedly attacked this week. Source: Damayantee Dhar
In protest to the alleged attacks, hundreds of Dalit men from surrounding villages have changed their WhatsApp display photos to the picture of a moustache with the caption: "Mr. Dalit".
This has also prompted men to post photos of themselves sporting a moustache on social media - with the hashtag RightToMoustache - in defiance to the attacks.
The reported attacks follow the tragic death of a young Dalit man who was killed in a village in Anand district.
The 21-year-old was allegedly beaten to death for attending a garba event (dance) in the community. All men accused have been arrested.
A Dalit is considered an outcast in the hierarchical Indian caste system based on karma (work) and dharma (duty).
