As Dalit groom dares to ride a mare, cops become baraatis
JAIPUR It was quite an unlikely sight near the house of Kamlesh Regar in Bundi district of Rajasthan on Sunday morning.
Wedding preparations for the 23-year-old were in full swing and amidst an air of mirth and excitement that surrounded his family, over 50 police personnel stood guard -- unlikely ‘baraatis’.
It all started when Regar decided to break an age-old caste-based tradition and ride a mare, instead of a motorcycle, en route to his wedding venue, as was the practice in the village.
“The family members of Regar had told the police that they were facing subtle threats from other villagers because of his decision to ride a mare. They alleged that the threats were because Regar is from a scheduled caste,” said NR Meena, deputy superintendent of police, Hindoli.
Till now, the dalits in the village weren’t allowed to ride mares during wedding processions and Regar was the first to challenge this tradition, officials said.
The family of the feisty second year student knew that this decision was not without danger, as they had experienced in the past.
“Some time back, a dalit man wasn’t allowed to ride a mare in the village during a festival after opposition from upper caste villagers. The family told us that they feared for such a confrontation this time as well,” said Ajit Meghwanshi, station house officer, Hindoli police station.
What saved the day for the family was timely preventive action by the police.
“Police personnel from three nearby police stations were stationed near the house of Regar for the last few days. Several inspectors and the circle officer were present as the wedding procession was taken out during early Sunday morning,” said Meghwanshi.
The wedding procession reached its destination amidst tight security and police presence. No untoward incidents were reported.
“We had made all arrangements to quell any possible interference that could have worsened the law and order situation. But at the end, the procession went off peacefully,” said the SHO.
Surrounded by men and women in khaki, as Regar rode the mare with one of his younger relatives, one couldn’t have missed the triumphant glint in his eyes.
After all, he had successfully managed to challenge this discriminatory tradition, bringing a glimmer of hope for many scheduled caste families in the village.