A marriage function in a Dalit family at village Bhureka, under Naujheel police station in Mathura, was disturbed late Tuesday night when some members of the Jat community objected to the DJ music played during the baarat procession.
According to the complaint, a group led by Krishna, Manish Kumar, and Ankur, along with around 20-25 unidentified people, stopped the baarat, forced the groom to get down from the decorated vehicle (baggi), and threatened to shoot him if their demands were not met.
Pooran Singh, the bride’s uncle and complainant, said that police were called via Dial 112. After police arrived, the baarat continued to the wedding venue safely. However, early Wednesday morning, the accused returned armed, verbally abused family members, insulted women in the house, and damaged a motorcycle while shouting casteist slogans.
The police registered a case under multiple sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, including rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint, and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Act.
Gunjan Singh, Circle Officer of Mathura, confirmed the FIR and said that the dispute arose over the music played during the baarat. While there was an altercation and some physical assault, there was no evidence that the baarat was prevented from continuing its customs.
Police are investigating and have taken steps to maintain law and order in the area.
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com.