A case of caste-based violence has emerged from Udaipur district, where a Dalit family’s wedding procession was allegedly attacked by a group of people in Hariyav village on the night of April 29.
According to the complaint, the procession of Pooja Meghwal, daughter of Bhairulal Meghwal, was passing through a main road near Dhira Talai around 10 pm when the accused blocked their path and began abusing the group using casteist slurs.
Bride Forced Off Horse, Guests Assaulted
Family members alleged that the attackers, identified as Laxman Singh, Madhu Singh, Kishan Singh, Uday Singh, Arjun Singh, Takhat Singh, Fateh Singh, Vikram Singh and others, stopped the procession and threatened violence.
“They shouted at us and said, ‘Do not take the procession ahead of our house, otherwise there will be bloodshed,’” the complaint stated.
Eyewitnesses said the situation quickly turned violent. The DJ music was stopped, and the bride was forcibly pulled down from the horse. Soon after, the group allegedly attacked the baraatis using stones, sticks, rods and even swords.
Several people, including women and children, were injured in the assault. Victims named in the complaint include Vardi Chand Meghwal, Ganesh Meghwal, Jitu Meghwal, Manju Meghwal, Lakshmibai, Hitesh Meghwal and Suresh Meghwal.
One of the accused, Takhat Singh, is alleged to have used a sword during the attack. The complainants also said that valuables were looted in the chaos, including mangalsutras and a wristwatch.
FIR Filed Under SC/ST Act, Investigation Underway
An FIR was registered on April 30 at Dabok police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Police have invoked sections related to assault, criminal intimidation and caste-based atrocities. The investigation has been handed over to IPS probationer Aashima Vaswani.
Community Protests, Demand Strict Action
The incident triggered anger among members of the Dalit community. On Friday, a large number of supporters of the Bhim Army gathered outside Dabok police station demanding immediate arrests and strict action.
Roshan Meghwal, Vice President of Bhim Army in Udaipur, claimed that around 15 people, including several women, were involved in the attack.
“This is not the first time such an incident has happened in the village. The same group had earlier tried to disrupt another Dalit wedding,” he alleged.
He added that police initially detained four accused under preventive provisions soon after the incident, and statements of victims were recorded after the FIR was filed.
Warning of Protest if Action Delayed
Community members have warned of a larger protest if strict action is not taken under the SC/ST Act against all the accused.
“We want justice and immediate arrests. If action is delayed, we will stage a major protest,” one of the protesters said.
