Hathras: A Dalit groom Sanjay Jatav insists on entering the bride’s village on horseback, landing the Kasganj police and district administration in controversy. Jatav wishes to take out the marriage procession from the perimeter of the village up to the girl’s residence while passing by the houses of the upper caste community. He had sought the help of district administration as he is a citizen of India. The administration gave him a route-map directing the youth to take his ‘baraat’ on a longer route. The youth is going to marry on April 20.
Disappointed by the district administration Jatav approached the Allahabad HC, seeking protection on his marriage day. Kumar alleged that he wanted to take out his baraat by riding on a horse but people belonging to a higher caste were opposing this.
However, the Allahabad High Court on Friday dismissed the petition of the Dalit groom and said he might wish to “approach the police authorities for lodging of the FIR against the persons who are interfering in the performance of marriage ceremony and approach the magistrate”. According to Additional Advocate General Manish Goel, who was representing the state in the case, the petition was dismissed because what was brought up before the court was not a matter concerning fundamental rights. There were facts of the case which should ideally be resolved by local authorities.
The sarpanch of the village has said that his job is to maintain peace. Hence he can’t allow Dalit guests to move in front of upper caste homes.
Nizampur village where the bride Sheetal lives is inhabited by the Thakurs. They had objected to the plans of Sanjay Kumar Jatav to take a horse-led baraat around the village, claiming it would be a source of shame to their community.
It must be recalled that a Dalit youth was allegedly hacked to death by three upper caste persons at Umrala village of Bhavnagar on Thursday evening for owning a horse.