A case has come to light in the Hatta police station area of Damoh, where a Dalit groom with a disability was pulled off his horse and assaulted by local strongmen during his *Rachwai* (pre-wedding procession). The police have registered a case under the SC/ST Act and have initiated an investigation.
On Tuesday evening, a dispute erupted during the *Rachwai* of a disabled groom belonging to the Dalit community in Bijori Pathak village, located within the Hatta police station jurisdiction of Damoh district. It is alleged that certain influential individuals (strongmen) from the village pulled the groom down from his horse and assaulted him using sticks and clubs. The incident caused chaos and panic at the scene. Members of the groom’s side, accompanied by the entire wedding procession, proceeded to the Hatta police station and lodged a formal complaint. The police have registered a case under various sections, including the SC/ST Act, and have deployed a police force in the village to maintain order.
**Wedding Procession Bound for Chhatarpur; Pre-Wedding Procession Being Held First**
According to reports, the wedding procession of Golu Ahirwar (23)—son of Bhagirath Ahirwar and a resident of Bijori Pathak village—was scheduled to travel on Tuesday to Budhi Semra village in the Buxwaha region of Chhatarpur district. Before the main wedding procession departed, the groom’s *Rachwai* was being carried out within the village around 5:00 PM. Golu was seated on a horse, while his family members and fellow community members were celebrating. During this time, as the *Rachwai* reached the ‘Lodhi Mohalla’ (neighborhood) of the village, certain individuals raised objections. It is alleged that they demanded the groom dismount from his horse. When he resisted, the physical assault began.
**Groom Levels Serious Allegations**
The victim, groom Golu Ahirwar, stated that as soon as the *Rachwai* reached the front of a particular house, some people present there pulled him down from his horse and attacked him with sticks and clubs. He alleged that Guddu Singh, Krishna, Hakam, Paltu, and others were involved in assaulting him. Golu further mentioned that despite his disability, the accused beat him mercilessly. **Allegations of Assault Against Sister and Mother as Well**
The groom’s mother, Vidya Ahirwar, stated that when family members announced that the groom’s wedding procession (Baraat) was about to depart and the traditional pre-procession ritual (Rachhwai) was being observed, the accused launched an attack. She further reported that her daughter—the groom’s sister, Manisha—who intervened to mediate the situation, was also physically assaulted. A complaint has also been lodged regarding the disappearance of some of her gold jewelry during the altercation.
**Entire Wedding Procession Reaches Police Station; Police Conduct Medical Examination**
Following the incident, members of the groom’s side, outraged by the events, took the groom and the entire wedding procession to the Hatta Police Station. A formal complaint was registered there. The police subsequently arranged for a medical examination of the groom. Thereafter, the wedding procession was allowed to proceed under police protection.
**Case Registered Under SC/ST Act and Other Provisions**
Late at night, following the registration of the case, Hatta Police Station In-charge Sudhir Kumar Begi stated that, based on the complaint filed by the aggrieved party—Gariba Ahirwar—a case has been registered against local villagers Vishwanath Lodhi, Bichchhu Lodhi, Paltu, and other accused individuals under various sections of the law, including the SC/ST Act. He added that, in view of the prevailing tension in the village, an adequate police force has been deployed to ensure that the wedding rituals can be conducted peacefully.
**Outrage Within the Dalit Community; Preparations Underway for a Major Protest**
The incident has sparked widespread outrage within the local Dalit community. Community members have demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and strict punitive action against them. Several social organizations have also condemned the incident, issuing a warning to the administration that if strict action is not taken against the culprits, a framework for a large-scale protest movement will be devised.
**Questions Raised Regarding Social Responsibility and the Spirit of the Constitution**
This incident is not merely a criminal matter; it serves as a test of social consciousness and constitutional values. The Constitution of India guarantees every citizen the right to live with equality, respect, and dignity. Preventing any individual from participating in weddings, festivities, or social traditions on the basis of caste is not only a legally punishable offense but also a violation of fundamental human values.
**Similar Disputes Have Occurred in the Past**
For years, the government, social welfare organizations, and conscientious citizens have been striving to strengthen social harmony by propagating messages of equality, brotherhood, and mutual respect. Such efforts are having a visible positive impact on society, with people in numerous villages and cities setting aside caste distinctions to celebrate festivals and ceremonies together.
However, incidents of this nature indicate that the narrow-minded and casteist mentality of certain individuals continues to act as a hindrance to social progress. Such individuals must respect the law, understand the rights and duties enshrined in the Constitution, and convey a message of equality and harmony—rather than discrimination—to the younger generation. According to villagers, disputes regarding the wedding procession (*rachwai*) of a young man from the Dalit community have arisen in the village on previous occasions as well. Even at that time, the procession was eventually carried out only after the intervention of social organizations. The recurrence of such an incident has once again created an atmosphere of tension within the village.
**Here, for the First Time, a Dalit Groom Rode a Horse**
On Saturday evening, in the village of Patna Durga—located adjacent to Damoh city—a wedding procession featuring a Dalit groom riding a horse was carried out for the very first time. The event concluded peacefully. Deepraj Jatav, the District President of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram), along with his team, had proactively requested police protection in advance. In recent times, several incidents involving attempts to prevent Dalit grooms from riding horses—often accompanied by physical assault—have come to light within the district. The case involving the assault of a differently-abled groom in Bijouri Pathak village (Hatta) has also been a subject of widespread discussion. Thanks to the active presence of the organization, no untoward incidents occurred in Patna Durga.
Courtesy: Hindi News