Dalit groom pulled off horse, beaten during pre-wedding procession in Madhya Pradesh

DDAMOH: A 23-year-old physically handicapped Dalit groom was pulled off a horse and beaten during a pre-wedding procession in Damoh district on Tuesday evening. The wedding procession could continue only after police were deployed in the village.

Police said that all four accused named in the case have been arrested and will be slapped with the National Security Act.

"This is a clear case of caste discrimination. All four accused named in the complaint have been arrested. The National Security Act will be invoked against them. This will be the first time such action is being taken in a case like this. We have sent our recommendation to the DM," said Damoh SP Shrut Kirti Somavansh.

The incident took place in Bijori Pathak village when the groom, Golu Ahirwar, was taking out his 'Rachwai' procession, a Bundelkhandi custom where the groom goes around the village on a horse before the baraat. A group of men objected to him riding a horse and allegedly used caste-based abuses.

Police said four villagers -- Ghuppu Lodhi, Vishwanath Lodhi, Bichhu Lodhi and Chinnu Lodhi -- stopped the procession around 5 pm and blocked the path by placing a motorcycle in front of the horse. They then pulled the groom down and assaulted him.

When his family members intervened, they were also beaten. His sister Manisha was among those injured. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

After the attack, members of the Dalit community took the injured groom to the police station and filed a complaint. Police have registered a case under relevant sections, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Golu's sister Manisha alleged that the accused blocked their way by parking a vehicle in the lane, rushed at them when asked to move, dragged her brother off the horse and assaulted the family, saying a "horse would not be allowed in the lane and that such a procession was not meant for people like them".

Another family member said, "They said the procession would not be allowed. When we objected, they attacked us and beat my daughter." She added that some of her jewellery went missing during the incident.

Additional police force has been deployed in the village.
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