The cruel face of casteist mentality in Chandrumana village of Patan; hooliganism over 'riding a horse' continues despite the SC/ST Act.
Patan: On one hand, where India is presenting itself to the world as a technological superpower and a progressive nation, on the other hand, a village in the Patan district of Gujarat has reminded us of the bitter reality of how deeply rooted casteism still is in the interior parts of the country.
Monday should have been the happiest day of Vishal Chavda’s life, but the regressive thinking of society turned it into a nightmare. As Vishal, who belongs to the Dalit community, mounted a horse to take his wedding procession (varghoda) through the streets of Chandrumana village, the sounds of wedding music were drowned out by the clanging of naked swords.
The ‘crime’ of equality
According to local eyewitnesses, as the procession moved forward, a group of people from the dominant community blocked their path. These people were allegedly enraged that a groom from a “lower caste” dared to perform a tradition that they considered their privilege—that is, riding a horse.
The attackers shouted, “How dare a Dalit ride a horse in this village?” The situation quickly turned violent. This mob, armed with swords, allegedly unleashed a wave of hooliganism. They not only threatened the groom but also assaulted the people in the wedding procession. For them, a Dalit riding a horse was not a celebration of marriage, but a challenge to the centuries-old social order.
An atmosphere of terror despite the law
This incident is not an isolated case, but part of a shameful story that is repeatedly played out in Gujarat. From Gandhinagar to Banaskantha, the simple custom of a Dalit groom riding a horse during his wedding procession often leads to violence. Despite stringent laws like the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the “ban on riding a horse” is still used by upper castes as a violent tool of social control to keep the marginalized sections “in their place.”
However, the local administration has acted promptly, registering an FIR and deploying police forces to maintain law and order. But the wounds inflicted on Vishal and his family will take a long time to heal.
Similar attacks have happened before
Statistics show that this hatred is not new. In February 2024, in Chadasana village of Gandhinagar, another Dalit groom, Vikas Chavda, was pulled down from his horse and slapped by four people.
Earlier, in 2020, a wedding procession of an army soldier, who was serving the country, was also pelted with stones simply because he was riding a horse. These incidents raise the question of whether we are truly moving towards a modern society.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News