Dalit groom assaulted, pulled from horse in India caste attack
Pre-wedding ritual turns violent as family alleges upper-caste Hindu men targeted groom, highlighting persistent caste discrimination
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A Dalit groom in central India was allegedly assaulted and dragged down from a horse during his wedding procession, in an incident that has renewed attention on caste-based violence in the country.
The 23-year-old man, identified as Golu Ahirwar, was taking part in a traditional pre-wedding ceremony in Madhya Pradesh state when a group of men reportedly blocked the procession and attacked him.
According to family members, the attackers — allegedly from a locally dominant caste group — stopped the procession in Damoh district and pulled the groom off the horse before beating him with sticks.
In many parts of India, Dalits — communities historically treated as the lowest in the Hindu caste hierarchy — have faced violence for asserting social rights, including riding a horse during wedding processions, a practice often seen as a symbol of status.
“They beat him mercilessly. He is physically challenged, but they showed no mercy,” his mother, Vidya Ahirwar, said.
She also alleged that her daughter was assaulted when she tried to intervene. “They didn’t even spare my daughter,” she said.
Police said a case has been registered under multiple legal provisions, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, a law designed to address caste-based violence and discrimination.
An official from the local police station said an investigation is underway, though no further details on arrests were immediately available.
The attack was reportedly recorded on video and has circulated on social media, drawing attention to the incident.
Authorities said security personnel have been deployed in the village to prevent further tensions.
Despite the violence, the groom later continued with the wedding ceremony in a nearby district after receiving medical treatment.
The case underscores ongoing concerns over caste discrimination in India, where incidents of violence against Dalits continue to be reported, particularly in rural areas where entrenched social hierarchies remain influential.
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