People were stunned, as the Bhim Army announced, “Now, no Dalit daughter in Rajasthan will be dismounted…!”
Udaipur – A unique and powerful demonstration was witnessed in the heart of Udaipur on Thursday. A newlywed woman sat on a horse, holding pictures of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. Hundreds of Bhim Army workers marched alongside her, chanting slogans. As the convoy moved forward, shouting, “Now, no Dalit daughter in Rajasthan will be dismounted,” traffic stopped, and people stood in awe. The entire atmosphere echoed with chants of “Jai Bhim.”
This was the same bride, Pooja Meghwal, whose wedding procession was taking place a few days earlier, on the night of April 29th, in Hariav village, under the Dabok police station area. Meanwhile, about 15 villagers, including women, stopped the procession, hurling casteist slurs. The accused forcibly dismounted the bride from the horse, shut down the DJ, and attacked the wedding procession with stones, sticks, rods, and swords. Fifteen people were injured in the attack, and women’s mangalsutras were snatched.
On Thursday, newlywed Pooja returned on horseback to seek justice from the authorities. She said, “I was insulted, my family was assaulted.” She becomes emotional as she speaks. Recalling that moment is a traumatic experience for her, as a wedding day is considered the happiest day in a young woman’s life, but on that very day, she and her family suffered humiliation.
In protest against this humiliation and oppression, Pooja Meghwal herself rode a horseback to the District Collectorate with the Bhim Army. The rally, which began at the Town Hall, traveled through various routes to the district headquarters, where protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.
Bhim Army State President Jitendra Hatwal said that the police administration should take strict action, not try to protect such criminals with a casteist mindset. The entire matter is clear and within the police administration’s knowledge: the bride was pulled off the horse, pelted with stones, and attacked with sticks and rods, resulting in numerous injuries. The administration should take strict action against such people with a casteist mindset, rather than trying to protect them. The emboldening of such casteist individuals in Rajasthan is growing, which is why such incidents are unstoppable throughout Rajasthan.
Spokesperson Anil Panor warned, “If the government doesn’t take strict action against such criminals, the stone pelters of Rajasthan will be replaced by the stone pelters of Kashmir.” Bhim Army Vice President Roshan Meghwal stated that the organization demanded that only four people have been arrested, while all nine named accused should have been arrested immediately. They demanded the replacement of the investigating officer and the provision of security and compensation to the victim’s family. If their demands are not met, a Jaipur siege program will be organized soon.
The rally, which began at Town Hall and traveled through various routes to the district headquarters, demanded the immediate arrest of the other perpetrators and strict action against them. A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister through the District Collector. Azad Samaj Party State Vice President Gopal Parmar, National Committee Member Satyawan Indsar, State Vice President Lala Meghwal, Bhim Army District President Kundan Khokawat, Dinesh Meghwal, Amrit Lal Yadav, Senior Vice President, State General Secretary Suresh Meghvanshi, social worker Ravi Meghwal, Roshan Meghwal, General Secretary Om Prakash Meghwal, Division Media Incharge Ravi Meghwal, Mewal President Shanti Lal Meghwal, Chetram Bairwa, Naresh Meghvanshi, and officials from across the Bahujan Samaj Party were present at the protest. The Bhim Army described the bride Pooja Meghwal’s participation in the protest on horseback as a “return of honor.” Activists say that the Manuwadis had dismounted her from the horse, so by remounting her, the Bhim Army has sent a message to all of Rajasthan that the disrespect of Dalit women will no longer be tolerated. This protest, which ended with chants of “Jai Bhim,” garnered considerable attention in the city of Udaipur.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy: Hindi News