An Indian man who was born with four legs has become an outcast after villagers labelled him a devil.

Arun Rajput has had the two extra limbs - believed to be from an undeveloped parasitic twin - dangling from his back since birth.

But the 20-year-old says he has been forced to live the life of a recluse by those in the remote village of Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, northern India.

Rajput said: "People laugh at me. They say I am a devil. No one respects me here because I look different. But I want to be like one of them. I want to work like other man."

The unusual defect has seen Rajput face jibes and name calling while growing up and many locals said his family was cursed.

His extra limbs mean he cannot sit properly, walking has become uncomfortable and he has to have tailor made trousers developed.

But the young man says he does not want to be treated any differently from others.

"I want to do normal things and be treated like a normal person," he said.

Now, Rajput who is the eldest of four siblings, is eager to have a surgery so that he can get a good education and fulfil his dream of becoming a teacher.

Rajput's poor parents, who work as daily wage labourers on farms, had taken him to several doctors when he was a kid but returned home when they were told the surgery would cost them 'exorbitant' amount.

He added: "I want to take care of my parents. I want to study and become a teacher."

His mother Lila Devi, 45, said: "He was born after 12 years of my marriage. We had eagerly waited for his arrival but when he was born, I could not believe my eyes.

"He was very weak. We took him to many doctors but no one took the guarantee.

"People call him with bad names. It hurts me most when they call him devil.

"He is a very gentle child. Very hardworking and wants to live a respectable life. I hope he gets rid of the extra limb and can be one of us."

Rajput and his mother are now hoping for a possible surgery so he can lead a normal life.