By Maktoob
A 23-year-old physically disabled Dalit groom was allegedly dragged off a horse and assaulted during his pre-wedding procession in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, on Tuesday evening after a group of caste-Hindu men objected to him riding through the village, reportedly making casteist remarks and assaulting his family, including snatching jewellery when they tried to intervene.
The groom named Golu Ahirwar was participating in the traditional “Rachwai” ritual when his procession was stopped in a narrow lane, where his family claims a vehicle was deliberately parked to block the route.
When relatives requested passage, a group of local men confronted them, leading to a violent altercation.
According to the family, the groom, who is physically challenged, was pulled down from the horse and beaten with sticks and clubs, while others in the procession were also attacked.
His mother, Vidya Ahirwar, told the Indian express that the group had warned them against taking out the procession and turned violent when they refused, adding that her daughter was also assaulted and lost gold jewellery during the incident.
His sister, Manisha Ahirwar, alleged that the attackers made casteist remarks, saying such processions were “not meant for people like us,” before assaulting the family and snatching her jewellery when she tried to intervene.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.