In Chaurai village under the Jabalpur Naka Police Outpost in Damoh district, a Dalit groom’s wedding celebration turned violent on Tuesday night. The groom, seated in a buggy for his procession, faced backlash from some influential locals who disapproved of the practice.
Eyewitnesses told local media that after the wedding, the group vandalized the buggy, attacked the horse with sticks, and assaulted the buggy owner. The injured were later taken to the district hospital for treatment, and a formal complaint was lodged with the police on Wednesday morning.
The attackers, who belong to the “upper caste”, had reportedly warned the buggy owner earlier, saying, “Dalits are not allowed to ride in a horse-drawn buggy.” Despite the threats, the groom’s family proceeded with the buggy, assured by locals that they would ensure safety.
Jaykishan Rajak, a relative of the buggy owner, shared the ordeal,” My brothers Rahul Rajak and Krishna Rajak, along with Jagdish Ahirwar, were attacked while returning from the wedding. The buggy was broken, the DJ van’s glass shattered, and the horse was beaten mercilessly.”
The attackers, believed to be workers at a local eatery owned by Ratnesh Thakur, were identified in the complaint.
Anand Ahirwar, in charge of the Jabalpur Naka Outpost, confirmed the investigatio and said, “We are looking into the matter. Appropriate action will be taken based on the facts uncovered.”
In many parts of the country, Dalit grooms are forbidden from riding horses or using buggies for their processions.
A buggy owner, speaking anonymously, expressed his frustration and said, “We are deeply hurt. Such attacks discourage us from participating in weddings where there is opposition from dominant groups.”
