Dalit groom rides in horse-drawn carriage in Kasganj, defies caste-barriers

A 28-year-old Dalit youth rode in a 'horse-drawn' carriage, with nearly 100 policemen in tow, to his marriage venue defying age-old caste barriers.

The act is being seen as "historic" as it is not usual for Dalits to arrive on horseback to marriage venues in Nizampur village in this district.

Apprehending opposition to this step, the groom Sanjay Jatav of a village in Hathras district had earlier approached the High Court in Allahabad seeking protection. The court has asked him to approach the police.

Jatav's would-be wife could saw TV channels flash live visuals of him leading the marriage procession yesterday, with scores of men in 'khaki' accompanying to quell any possible mischief.

There were reports that upper caste people in the village did not want a Dalit groom to ride a horse to his marriage venue. Jatav had even made an appeal to the district administration to provide security.

Additional superintendent of police (Kasganj) Pavitra Mohan Tripathi, however, claimed that there was opposition due to another factor.

"Sanjay Jatav of Hathras wanted to marry Sheetal on April 30 this year. Since Sheetal was a minor at that time, permission for marriage was not given," he said.

Tripathi said, "Reports that people of upper castes were against a Dalit groom riding a horse in their village while going to marriage were not correct. Since the girl was a minor, permission was not given for the marriage. Now the girl has become an adult, her marriage was solemnised," he said.

The police official said along with Sanjay Jatav, nearly 150 guests came.

"To eliminate fear from the minds of the groom and the guests, policemen accompanied the marriage procession. None of the upper caste people of the village registered any opposition or protest to the baraat," Tripathi said.

The additional SP also said he himself accompanied the baraat and was present there till its departure.

"The family members of the girl too have been given police protection and force has been deployed in the village. The village is absolutely peaceful," Tripathi said.