10 Years of the Una Dalit Incident: The victim’s family, desperate for justice, seeks community support in the High Court.
10 Years of the Una Incident: After disappointment in the lower court, the victim’s family seeks financial assistance from the community. Gujarat: A decade has passed since the highly publicized Dalit harassment case in Una, Gir Somnath district. Ten years ago, four Dalit youths were publicly beaten after being falsely accused of cow slaughter for skinning dead cows. Now, the victims of this horrific incident are pleading for financial support from the community to continue their fight for justice. In March of this year, a lower court in Veraval acquitted 35 accused in the case. The victims have appealed to the Gujarat High Court to challenge this decision. The next hearing on the appeal is scheduled for August 25th. According to the Indian Express report, Vashram Sarvaiya, one of the victims of the public beating, says that over the past ten years, he has incurred significant debt and expenses to fight his case. His sources of income are extremely limited. He did not seek help for a decade, but now he desperately needs financial support from society to continue his legal battle. Vashram explained that he will need funds to pursue justice in the High Court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court. The last hearing on Vashram’s appeal pending before the Gujarat High Court was held on July 20. That day, a division bench of the High Court directed the registry to summon the entire record of the lower court proceedings and listed the case for August 25. To seek justice, Vashram has been sending WhatsApp messages to his acquaintances since July 11, 2026, appealing for financial assistance directly to his bank account via UPI. He has also contacted people through phone calls and messages. His Gujarati message is deeply moving. It states that today his family is completely financially ruined. If society unites and supports this fight, even if only by a small amount of a flower petal, they will be able to win this battle for self-respect in the High Court and Supreme Court. The message further states that higher courts are highly expensive, so society should consider it its collective responsibility to help the victim’s family get justice. According to Vashram, since July 11, 2026, he has sent such messages to approximately 30 people in Gujarat, 10 of whom have contributed financially. He urgently needs at least two lakh rupees to fight the case. Depending on how long this legal battle drags on and whether the case reaches the Supreme Court, this expense could increase significantly. This entire incident has also severely affected the employment opportunities of the affected youth. Vashram explains that whenever he goes out to ask for work, people look at him as if he himself had slaughtered a cow. Due to this constant humiliation and discomfort, they have now stopped looking for work. Skinning dead animals has been a traditional occupation of the Dalit Sarvaiya community. On July 11, 2016, Vashram and two of his relatives were skinning dead cows outside Mota Samadhiyala village in the Una tehsil of Gir Somnath district. One of the cows had been killed by a lion. When some people claiming to be cow protectors arrived in two vehicles, they accused them of cow slaughter. The Dalit youths were then tied up and brutally beaten with sticks and iron rods. Vashram, along with Bechar, Ashok, and Ramesh, were taken to Una town, where they were publicly flogged and tortured again. After the video of this brutal attack went viral on social media, widespread outrage spread across the country. The then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, visited the Sarvaiya family. Following this incident, Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani organized a massive protest, which later catapulted him to the Gujarat Assembly. A total of 41 people, including four policemen from the Una police station, were prosecuted in this serious case. During the trial, then-Police Inspector Nirmal Singh Jhala died. On March 16th of this year, Veraval Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya delivered the verdict. He acquitted 35 accused, including three policemen who faced serious charges of abetment to crime, negligence, and falsification of government records. The court found only five people guilty of intentionally causing hurt with dangerous weapons, hostage taking, insulting with intent to provoke breach of peace, and insulting members of the Scheduled Castes. Those convicted include Ramesh Jadhav, Rakesh Joshi, Nagjibhai Vaniya, Pramodgiri Goswami, and Balwantgiri Goswami. Disappointed with the verdict, Vashram Sarvaiya told the media at the time that he would challenge this unsatisfactory decision in higher courts. Today, they are seeking help from everyone who believes in humanity. On July 11th, marking the 10th anniversary of the incident, a state-level “Justice and Solidarity Conference” was held at the Mangal Pandey Auditorium in Ahmedabad. There, Balu Sarvaiya, the father of Vashram and Ramesh, declared that he would continue his fight for justice as long as he lived. He said that after ten years of struggle, their case was suppressed in the lower court, but he would go to the Supreme Court and, if necessary, even protest against the government. Vashram also alleged that the accused have created a fund to continue their legal battle and are receiving covert support from political organizations. In response, the Sarvaiya family is also gathering support from members of the Dalit community and other humanitarian communities. He said that if needed, they can also seek support by posting videos on social media. Vashram’s family is landless. Their only reliable source of income is selling milk from their one cow and one buffalo. The family consists of Vashram, his wife, a daughter, younger siblings, and parents. They earn only ₹350 per day from milk sales. A few months ago, one of the two cows they reared was killed by a lion, further reducing their income. It is noteworthy that the lion population has increased significantly in the areas surrounding the Una tehsil of Gir Somnath district since the early 2000s, as lions are now moving out of the Gir protected forests
Immerse in this new book that dives into the life of a Dalit boy in Gujarat
This is most prominently witnessed in the chapter exploring his relationship to Mahatma Gandhi and his ideas Title: Homes Without WindowsAuthor: Chandu MaheriaGenre: MemoirPublisher: JuggernautCost: Rs 699 Gujarati writer Chandu Maheria’s new book Homes Without Windows (Juggernaut), translated into English by Hemant Ashwinkumar, is an honest account of what it meant to grow up as a Dalit boy in the working-class suburb of Rajpur in Gujarat. We learn how several Dalit families left their villages after independence to settle in parts of Ahmedabad. Through 11 essays, Maheria helps readers draw a brief history of caste politics in Gujarat: from aggression in schools of the Khadol village in the 1960s, to the anti-reservation riots and the growing consciousness of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideology across the state in the 1980s. Through it all, Maheria’s tone is understated and nuanced. This is most prominently witnessed in the chapter exploring his relationship to Mahatma Gandhi and his ideas. He excavates the reasons why a majority of the Dalit community resents Gandhi and prefers to advocate Dr Ambedkar’s views. Without disagreeing with the concerns of the community on the Gandhi-Ambedkar debate, he argues that one cannot disregard Gandhi’s role in bringing the subject of caste to the forefront of public discussion and politics. Maheria’s most distinctive quality is how he examines everyday objects and gives evidence from his personal experience to portray how deeply entrenched the caste system is in India. Chapters like ‘Your Chappals, Our Skulls’, which highlights footwear, or ‘The Mayor’s Bungalow’, which looks at public toilets, become significant in this regard. For instance, he recollects being turned away at the school gate as a kid, on the first day of school, because he couldn’t afford footwear and reached barefoot. The final chapter on fighting rumours and sicknesses with multiple hospitalisations offers a poignant closing to a sensitive and necessary book Nandini Varma Courtesy : Mid-Day Note: This news is originally published on https:/mid-day.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit family alleges abuse, threats over temple entry
Rajkot: A Dalit family has alleged that they were subjected to caste-based abuse and death threats for trying to enter a Hanuman temple at Jalaram Society near the Ratanpar village turn on the Rajkot-Morbi highway. Rajesh Jadav, 55, lodged a complaint with Kuvadva Road police against four persons — Raju Ramavat, Mayur Ramavat, Hetal Bhalsod and Chandresh Bhalsod — alleging criminal intimidation and insult to provoke breach of peace under BNS, and offences under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Jadav, a labourer, has been living with his family in Jalaram Society for two and a half years. He alleged that the temple caretaker, Raju Ramavat, had prevented his family from entering the Hanuman temple ever since they moved in. The matter was raised before the village sarpanch on June 22. The sarpanch is said to have told both sides that the temple was a public place of worship and that every resident had the right to offer prayers there. Later that evening, Jadav’s wife, Sapna, and other women from the neighbourhood, went to perform service near the temple platform. Around 7am on June 23, an argument erupted over the issue. Rajesh Jadav alleged that Raju Ramavat, his son Mayur Ramavat, Hetal Bhalsod, and her husband Chandresh Bhalsod abused him and his family and subjected them to caste-based slurs. The complaint further states that the accused allegedly told the family they had “no right to enter the temple” and said they had “defiled” the place of worship. Raju Ramavat is also accused of grabbing Rajesh Jadav by the collar and threatening to kill the entire family if Sapna approached the temple again. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Groom Dragged Off Mare As Wedding Procession Sparks OBC Caste Clash
A wedding celebration in Gujarat’s Patan district turned violent after a 21-year-old groom was allegedly dragged off a mare and assaulted during his wedding procession. Unlike many past incidents involving upper caste and Dalit communities, this case involves two Other Backward Class (OBC) communities—the Patni (Devipujak) community and the Thakor community. Police have registered a case against five accused based on the complaint, while rights activists say the incident highlights how social hierarchy and caste-based discrimination can exist even within communities that fall under the same reservation category. Wedding Procession Began Peacefully According to the FIR, the groom, identified as Kaushik Patni, had earlier completed a pre-wedding procession in Patan city before returning to his native village, Hajipur, where another traditional wedding procession was organised. Family members said the procession initially passed through the Thakor locality after the groom briefly got down from the mare near a temple, following local customs. Once the procession reached the Patni locality, Kaushik mounted the mare again to continue the celebrations. Groom Allegedly Pulled Off Mare Police said the violence broke out at around 9:30 pm when Ramuji Thakor allegedly entered the procession, grabbed the groom by his suit, dragged him off the mare, and tore his clothes. The incident triggered chaos as family members and relatives rushed to intervene. Family Members Also Assaulted The FIR states that Sanjayji Thakor and Mehulji Thakor allegedly assaulted the groom’s uncle, Prakash Patni. When women from the family, including Nita Patni and the groom’s mother Kamu Patni, tried to stop the assault, they too were allegedly attacked. The complaint further alleges that Rahulji Thakor and Kaushikji Thakor joined the assault, used caste-based slurs against members of the Patni community, and objected to the wedding procession passing through the area. Threat Over Future Wedding Processions According to the complaint, the accused allegedly warned the family of serious consequences if anyone from the Patni community rode a mare during wedding processions in the future. The groom also reported losing a gold chain during the scuffle. Police Register Case Patan police have registered an FIR under relevant provisions related to assault, criminal intimidation, rioting, and the use of caste-based slurs. An investigation into the incident is underway. Experts Say Incident Reflects Social Hierarchies Beyond Traditional Divides Human rights activist Kaushik Parmar said the incident demonstrates that caste- or community-based assertions of social superiority are not limited to the traditional upper caste-Dalit divide. He said the Patan incident, involving two OBC communities, shows that informal social hierarchies continue to exist despite constitutional guarantees of equality. The episode has once again brought attention to caste-related tensions during wedding processions in Gujarat, with the latest case highlighting that such conflicts can also arise within communities belonging to the same social category. Courtesy : VOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/vibesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit groups plan statewide programme to mark 10 years of Una flogging atrocity in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Dalit leaders, social activists, and representatives of various organisations met at the Shahibaug Circuit House on Sunday to finalise plans for a statewide programme marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Una flogging atrocity on July 11. Those present included Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani, Gujarat Congress SC cell chairperson Hitendra Pithadiya, social activists Dhruv Kalapi, Kamlesh Kataria, Subodh Parmar, Dikshit Parmar, and representatives of families affected by the atrocity. Attendees discussed the 2016 atrocity as a turning point for national discourse on caste discrimination, human dignity, and constitutional rights. Speakers also expressed concern over continuing incidents of atrocities, discrimination and social exclusion faced by Dalits, and stressed the need to uphold the constitutional values of equality, liberty, justice and dignity, stated a release by the group convened by activist Kanti Parmar. The leaders resolved that all future campaigns would remain peaceful, democratic and within the framework of the Constitution inspired by the ideals of Dr B R Ambedkar. Parmar said that a statewide programme will be organised on July 11 to commemorate the anniversary, with participation from Dalit organisations, youth, women, social activists and citizens committed to constitutional values. Organisers said the event would seek to highlight issues of social justice, protection of human rights, support for victims of atrocities and the promotion of equality and fraternity. They also appealed to people across Gujarat to participate in large numbers. Four Dalit youths were flogged in Una for skinning a dead cow by gau rakshaks on July 11, 2016. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
In Gujarat’s Sabarkantha, Violence, Discrimination and Social Boycott are Pushing Dalit Families to Flee
Representatives of the community, who submitted a memorandum, alleged that people are being mentally, physically and economically harassed, leaving them with no option but to consider leaving their native village. In Gujarat’s Sabarkantha, Violence, Discrimination and Social Boycott are Pushing Dalit Families to Flee Dalit villagers from Rupal and Prantij gather at the Collector’s office at the district office in Himmatnagar. Photo: Dhiraj Leua New Delhi: An exodus may be imminent in some Gujarat villages, where members of the Dalit community have alleged they are increasingly facing harassment, intimidation and violence at the hands of upper-caste communities and OBC communities. “It will happen, if not today, then very soon,” says Somabhai, a resident of Rupal village in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district, alleging that the upper-caste communities do not wish to see their community prosper. On May 18, members of the Dalit community from villages in Sabarkantha district submitted a memorandum to the Resident Additional Collector at the district office in Himmatnagar demanding immediate intervention and protection from such atrocities. In it, Dalit villagers from Rupal village have alleged that despite repeated requests and appeals to the local administration, they continue to face harassment at several levels. They feel that the administration has failed to provide justice and a sense of security to the community, which now finds itself facing an effective social boycott within the village. Representatives of the community alleged that people are being mentally, physically and economically harassed, leaving them with no option but to consider leaving their native village. In the memorandum, the community clearly writes that if a lasting resolution is not reached within the next seven days, families from the Scheduled Caste community may be forced to migrate. Dalit leaders submit a memorandum to Krishna A. Vaghela, Resident Additional Collector, at the district office in Himmatnagar seeking protection from atrocities. Photo: Dhiraj Leua The allegations emerging from Rupal village are part of a wider and deeply entrenched pattern of caste violence and discrimination in Gujarat, a state often projected as a ‘model of economic development’, but where Dalit communities continue to report systemic exclusion, intimidation and violence. According to official data, thousands of cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes have been registered in Gujarat over the past decade, ranging from assault and social boycott to rape and murder. While the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data cited in the Gujarat assembly showed that more than 9,000 cases of crimes against Dalits were reported in the state between 2016 and 2022 alone, rights groups and Dalit activists argue that the actual number is likely much higher due to underreporting, pressure on victims to “settle” disputes locally, and fear of retaliation from dominant caste groups. Dhiraj Leua, a teacher and activist from Rupal village, believes that the police and administration have no will to protect them. “Does the government not have mechanisms to ensure our safety? Thakors (an upper-caste community) don’t let us build good homes, they don’t let us sport moustaches, they don’t let us ride motorcycles or cars. Why can’t we be allowed to live?” he asks, speaking to The Wire. Like Leua, others from his community have become accustomed to anti-Dalit slurs, caste based abuse which have become a daily affair. However, what made them write to the Resident Additional Collector, was a recent incident where members of the Thakor community tried to run a Dalit man over with a tractor. Bystanders filmed this, preventing the Thakors from crushing the Dalit man. “After that, we couldn’t take it anymore. We cannot die everyday just because they think we are lesser humans than them,” Leua says. He notes that in several instances when members of the Scheduled Caste community approach police stations to file FIRs against their oppressors, they are instead booked in counter cases themselves. “First we are harassed and when we go to claim our rights, we are slapped with cross FIRs with POCSO Act cases, attempt to murder, attempt to rape to break our spirit” he said. Caste violence in Gujarat has drawn national attention several times in the past, from the flogging of Dalit men by cow vigilantes in Una, 2016, to recurring reports of segregation in villages, denial of access to temples, separate utensils in schools and economic boycotts targeting Dalit families. However, according to data tabled in Rajya Sabha, the conviction rate in cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes between 2018 and 2021 was a mere 3.065 %, much lower than the national average. According to data reported in response to a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, acts of discrimination in urban Gujarat are extremely high as well. Ahmedabad city reported 189 cases – the highest number in the state – of atrocities against SC people in 2022. The state recorded a total of 1,425 such cases. From 2018 to 2021, only 32 cases out of the 5,369 registered cases were proved against the accused. In at least 1,012 registered cases, the accused were acquitted, even when the charges were as serious as murder and rape. Researchers studying caste violence have also linked such attacks to assertions of social and economic mobility among Dalit communities, arguing that upward mobility often triggers backlash from dominant caste groups seeking to preserve traditional hierarchies. In many villages across Gujarat, activists say the threat of social ostracisation, denial of work, and violence continues to function as a mechanism to discipline Dalit assertion and maintain caste control. In nearby Prantij town, too, the Scheduled Caste community is mustering the courage to call out their oppressors. Gujarat MLA from Vadgam and Working President, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, Jignesh Mevani recently took to Instagram to highlight the issue, where he said that the Dalits in Prantij felt below pests and claimed to be treated in an extremely inhuman manner. Mevani, who is also convener of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch, said that the police and administration just register cases for formality and then forget about the issue and this leaves Dalits in a very
Gujarat: Dalit families in Sabarkantha are considering mass migration due to alleged social discrimination.
Despite filing numerous complaints and applications under the Atrocity Act, villagers claim that no concrete action has been taken, forcing many affected families to threaten mass migration. A serious case of alleged social discrimination and harassment against members of the Scheduled Caste community has emerged from Rupal village in Talod taluka of Sabarkantha district, Gujarat. According to Gujarat Samachar, despite filing numerous complaints and applications under the Atrocity Act, villagers claim that no concrete action has been taken, forcing many affected families to threaten mass migration. According to community members, some anti-social elements in the village are allegedly depriving them of their basic constitutional rights and subjecting them to persistent social, economic, religious, and administrative discrimination. Community leaders claimed that at least six complaints and several written applications under the Atrocity Act have already been submitted to authorities regarding this matter. Villagers reported that attempts were made to resolve the dispute through mutual agreement, but the situation escalated due to alleged non-implementation of assurances, leading to renewed tension in the village. On Sunday, members of the affected community submitted a memorandum to the Resident Additional Collector at the district office in Himmatnagar, demanding immediate intervention and protection. They alleged that despite repeated appeals to the administration, they received neither justice nor protection. Meanwhile, many families are now facing a form of “social boycott” within the village. Community representatives further alleged that people are being mentally and physically tortured, leaving them with no option but to leave their ancestral village. In the memorandum, they warned that if a concrete solution is not found within the next seven days, families from the Scheduled Caste community may be forced to migrate en masse from Rupal village. This incident has once again raised serious questions about caste-based discrimination and the implementation of legal safeguards at the grassroots level. These allegations have also sparked debate over whether authorities have taken adequate action despite repeated complaints filed under stringent social justice laws. At present, there has been no official response from district officials to these allegations or calls for intervention. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Family Allegedly Barred from Public Well in Gujarat’s Surendranagar, Case Filed Under Atrocities Act
A case of alleged caste-based discrimination has surfaced from Metasar village in Patdi taluka of Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, where a Scheduled Caste family has reportedly been socially boycotted and denied access to water from a public well. The incident came to light after a video related to the alleged discrimination circulated in the area, prompting police action and triggering a wider debate on untouchability and caste-based exclusion in rural India. FIR Registered Under SC/ST Atrocities Act Following a complaint, police registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 against several individuals accused of stopping the family from using the village well and allegedly using caste-based abuse. Those named in the complaint include Kukabhai, Dharmshibhai, Mansukhbhai, Pratapbhai, Somabhai, and two women. Police have begun investigation and initiated legal proceedings. Authorities have also assigned a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP)-level officer to probe the matter, considering the seriousness of allegations involving social boycott and denial of access to a public water source. What the Complaint Says According to the complaint filed by Dilipbhai Bhikhabhai Rathod, a resident originally from Metasar who now lives in Rajkot, his family had returned to the village when the incident occurred. During their visit, a woman from the family reportedly went to fetch water from a public well but was stopped by some villagers. The accused allegedly prevented her from drawing water, used casteist slurs, and misbehaved with her. Police said an FIR was registered after preliminary verification of the complaint and available evidence. Police Say Investigation Underway Deputy Superintendent of Police Parth Parmar said that statements and evidence have been collected so far and further investigation is in progress. “All necessary evidence has been collected and further investigation is underway. Steps are being taken to detain the accused and proceed with legal action,” he said, adding that efforts are being made to ensure such incidents do not recur. Allegations of Continued Discrimination in Rural Areas The incident has also drawn reactions from social and religious voices. Buddhist monk Bhante Pathik claimed that caste discrimination remains prevalent in parts of Surendranagar district and continues to affect Scheduled Caste communities. He alleged that in some villages, social restrictions still exist on everyday practices such as grooming styles, mobility, and access to public resources. He further said that discrimination has contributed to religious conversions, claiming that over 380 people in the district have embraced Buddhism in the past decade under his guidance. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“Horse riding is our right”: Dalit groom attacked, baraat stopped by caste Hindu men in Gujarat
Horse riding during weddings is a common practice across India, yet Dalit grooms repeatedly face opposition from uppercaste people. A Dalit groom’s traditional wedding procession was allegedly stopped midway in Madi village of Gujarat’s Mehsana district after upper-caste men objected to him riding a horse during the ceremony. The incident occurred around 10 am on May 10 near the village dairy and has once again highlighted the continuing resistance to Dalit assertions of cultural equality despite constitutional and legal safeguards. Complainant Bhavik Rawat stated that his younger brother, groom Mayank Rawat, faced abuse from Yuvrajsinh Chauhan and Nikulsinh Chauhan of the Darbar community. The accused allegedly hurled casteist slurs, manhandled the groom and claimed horse mounted processions as an exclusive Darbar right. The accused threatened the family against proceeding, which led to panic among relatives and guests, halting the baraat before it reached Ahmedabad for the ceremony. Ladol police in Vijapur taluka swiftly registered an FIR against the duo under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Local activist Kaushik Parmar highlighted this as evidence of persistent discrimination, even amid constitutional protections. Horse riding during weddings is a common practice across India, yet Dalit grooms repeatedly face opposition from uppercaste people. Such violence often erupts over symbolic assertions of dignity, such as a Dalit groom riding a horse, playing music, or passing through dominant-caste localities, practices that challenge entrenched social hierarchies. In April 2026, a 23-year-old physically disabled Dalit groom, Golu Ahirwar, was allegedly dragged off a horse and assaulted during a pre-wedding procession in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district after caste-Hindu men objected to him riding through the village. His family members were also allegedly assaulted and robbed when they intervened. In February 2026, armed men from the Thakur community allegedly attacked a Dalit wedding procession in Sunana village of Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district using firearms, swords, and sticks, while hurling caste slurs and vandalising the DJ system. In another February 2026 incident in Chandrumana village, Patan district of Gujarat, Dalit groom Vishal Chavda was allegedly attacked with swords and casteist abuse for riding a horse during his wedding procession. In April 2025, a 22-year-old Dalit groom in Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly dragged off his mare, beaten, and robbed over objections to loud music near upper-caste houses. Around the same period in Bulandshahr, upper-caste men reportedly stopped a Dalit baraat for playing DJ music, assaulted guests, and forced the procession to turn back. Similar incidents involving violence or intimidation against Dalit wedding processions have also been reported from districts such as Meerut, Etah, Amroha, and Tikamgarh. These recurring attacks continue to highlight the deep-rooted nature of caste discrimination in social and cultural spaces despite constitutional guarantees of equality and the abolition of untouchability. Other incidents in Mehsana district show that caste tensions are recurring. In 2019, a Dalit youth was allegedly assaulted and forced to shave his moustache by dominant caste men, an act seen as humiliation and assertion of social hierarchy. During the 2016 period of Dalit protests in Gujarat, the district also witnessed tensions and demonstrations, reflecting deeper caste divisions. Courtesy : Maktoob Media Note: This news is originally published on https:/maktoobmedia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Gujarat: Dalit groom attacked for riding horse in wedding procession
The accused allegedly abused the groom using casteist slurs and claimed the it is not his right to mount a horse for processions. Ahmedabad: A group of upper-caste men allegedly attacked and abused a Dalit groom using casteist slurs over him riding a horse during his wedding procession in Madi village of Gujarat’s Mehsana district. The incident, which occurred on May 10 near the village dairy, marks another instance of resistance to Dalit inclusion and equality in society. Although riding a horse during a wedding procession is customary in most Indian weddings, Dalit grooms are repeatedly targeted for taking part in the tradition. Complaint filed The groom, Mayank Rawat’s brother, Bhavik Rawat, lodged a complaint alleging that Tuvrajsinh Chauhan and Nikulsinh Chauhan of the Darbar community attacked them. The accused allegedly mauled and abused the groom using casteist slurs, and reportedly told him that mounting a horse for processions is the right of a Darbar alone. Panic ensued when the accused threatened the family from continuing the baraat, effectively halting the relatives from proceeding to Ahmedabad for the wedding ceremony. A first information report (FIR) was registered by the Ladol police against the accused Tuvrajsinh and Nikulsinh under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act. According to local activist Kaushik, the attack proves that Dalits continue to face discrimination despite constitutional protections. On April 29, a Dalit bride’s wedding procession in Rajasthan’s Udaipur was targeted as the attackers forced her off the horse while hurling abuses at her family. Days before the previous incident, a physically handicapped Dalit groom in Madhya Pradesh’s capital was similarly dragged off a horse and assaulted during his baraat. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights