Three people from the Dalit community were injured as a clash broke out in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh after upper caste men allegedly objected to a Dalit groom mounting a horse. The incident occurred in Madkarimpur village under the Khatauli Police Station jurisdiction, PTI reported.
The groom's party has also been accused of playing "casteist" songs during the horse-mounting ceremony, Circle Officer Ramashish Yadav told the news agency.
In a complaint, the groom’s side alleged that some upper caste people objected to the groom mounting the horse, an age-old custom in northern India. It added that the upper caste persons said Dalits do not have the right to sit on a horse. The wedding party was then allegedly attacked with sharp weapons, sticks and guns, it added.
The FIR also said several people, including the groom’s brother, sustained injuries in the attack.
The circle officer said that have registered a case against eight people under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and SC/ST Act, and arrested two. To avoid any flare-up, security has been deployed in the village.
Similar Incident In Gujarat
In February, a Dalit groom was allegedly attacked for riding a horse as part of his ‘baraat (wedding procession)' in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar. The incident occurred in Chandasana village, PTI reported.
The groom, in his complaint, said a man on a motorcycle stopped him while the party was on the way to the bride’s house, dragged him down from the horse, and slapped him. The accused also allegedly hurled casteist slur at the groom. He added that the accused said only members of his community can ride a horse.
Three others joined the accused and all four allegedly abused and threatened the victim, who was forced into riding a four-wheeler to the bride’s house, reported PTI.
Four men of the OBC community were arrested in connection with the incident.