Dalit wedding procession attacked in Rajasthan, bride forced off horse
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Udaipur: A Dalit wedding procession in Rajasthan’s Udaipur district was attacked on the night of April 29, with the bride reportedly forced off her horse and the wedding party subjected to caste-based abuse, officials and complainants said.
The incident took place in Hariyav village around 10 pm, when Pooja Meghwal’s wedding procession was passing through the main road. According to reports, a group of attackers intercepted the procession, blocked its movement, and hurled casteist remarks.
In a complaint filed by the bride’s father, Bhairulal Meghwal, the accused have been identified as Laxman Singh, Madhu Singh, Kishan Singh, Uday Singh, Arjun Singh, Takhat Singh, Fateh Singh, Vikram Singh, and others, including women.
The complainant alleged that one of the attackers snatched a relative’s turban and issued a threat, saying, “Chamar Meghwalo, do not take the procession ahead of my house, otherwise there will be bloodshed,” as reported by The Mooknayak. The attackers allegedly stopped the DJ, forced the bride off the horse, and turned violent against members of the wedding party.
The group is also accused of attacking the procession using sticks, stones, rods, and swords, leaving several guests injured, including women and children. One accused, Takhat Singh, was allegedly seen using a sword during the assault. The attackers reportedly looted items from the procession, with some wedding guests reporting missing mangalsutras and wrist watches.
A first information report (FIR) was registered on April 30 at Dabok police station under Sections 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 126(2) (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The bride’s family further alleged that the same group had earlier obstructed another Dalit wedding in the village.
On Friday, May 1, members of the Bhim Army gathered in large numbers outside the police station demanding strict action against the accused. They warned of a larger protest if action under the SC/ST Act was delayed.