A Dalit bride’s traditional wedding procession, known as a Bindoli, was carried out under police protection in Lakhma Khedi village, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday night after members of the Rajput community allegedly blocked the route and hurled casteist slurs at the family.
The incident took place around 9.30 pm as the Bindoli of Ritu, daughter of vegetable seller Suresh Kataria, was moving through the village ahead of her wedding on November 26. As the procession neared the house of a man identified as Bapu Singh, he reportedly objected to the party passing through. Soon, others, including Kushal Singh, Kuldeep Singh, and Govind Singh Bhanej, joined and began abusing the family with casteist slurs, attempting to stop the ceremony.
On receiving information, Barawad Police Station in-charge Swaraj Dabi and his team arrived at the scene. Police formed a security cordon and ensured that the bride’s procession continued along the designated route despite the protests. The Bindoli, a customary pre-wedding ritual where the bride or groom is taken around the village with music, relatives, and sometimes on horseback or in a carriage, was completed safely under police protection.
In his complaint, Kataria said, “I sell vegetables to support my family. My elder daughter is getting married on November 26. We were taking out the procession when we reached Bapu Singh’s house. Bapu Singh and Badri Singh came out and questioned why we were taking the Bindoli from there. Soon others gathered and used casteist slurs against us.” He added that they not only blocked the way but also tried to humiliate the family in front of the entire village.
Police have booked Bapu Singh, Badri Singh, Kushal Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Govind Singh Bhanej, and others under Section 176 of the BNS Act and provisions of the SC/ST Act. Amit Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Ratlam, said, “As soon as the matter came to our notice, police were deployed, peace was maintained, and an FIR was registered. A case has been filed against 4-5 individuals under relevant sections.”
