Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

Dalit marriage procession attacked again, 2nd in week

- Deep Mukherjee deeptarka.mukherjee@htlive.com

PROMPT ACTION Two people of upper caste were arrested in connection with the assault

A Dalit groom has been attacked in Udaipur allegedly by upper caste people for taking out his wedding procession with pomp and celebratio­ns, the second such incident in the state within a week.

Two people have been arrested by police in connection with the case.

Police said the victim and his family have alleged that the attackers deliberate­ly overflowed a water tank in order to block their road with mud.

“The incident happened on Thursday when Champalal Meghwal’s family had taken out a procession in their village Dulavton Ka Gudha,” said Om Kumar, the circle officer of Girva, Udaipur.

“At the same time a function was also organised in another house in the village.”

Police said the confrontat­ion happened when the procession was passing near the house.

“Meghwal along with his family members were walking when someone emptied a nearby water tank which muddied the road.

“A confrontat­ion broke out between the two sides. At least two members from the Rajput community assaulted Meghwal,” said Kumar.

Police said a case was registered on Friday under relevant sections of the IPC and the SC/ST Act following which two people have been arrested.

“We have arrested two people Chattar Singh and Narpat Singh, both from the Rajput community.

“The victims have alleged that they were assaulted because they were from the scheduled caste,” said the circle officer.

On April 28, Kailash Meghwal, a dalit groom from Udaipur’s Jhalo ka Dhana village, was attacked with beer bottles and dragged along for a distance allegedly by upper caste men for riding a mare.

Upper caste people have often opposed Dalits riding mares and celebratio­n during marriage procession­s, saying the community was not allowed to perform this ritual.

 ?? HT FILE PHOTO ?? Upper caste people often oppose Dalits riding mares during marriage procession­s.
HT FILE PHOTO Upper caste people often oppose Dalits riding mares during marriage procession­s.

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