Dalit Groom Dragged Off Horse, Brutally Assaulted in MP Village; Caste Slurs Alleged

Damoh (Madhya Pradesh): In a shocking incident, a 23-year-old Dalit groom was allegedly assaulted and dragged off a horse during his pre-wedding procession in Bijori Pathak village under Hata police station limits on Tuesday evening 21 April 2026.

The victim, identified as Golu Ahirwar, was participating in the traditional ‘Rachhwai’ procession ahead of his wedding in Budhi Semra village (Chhatarpur district) when the incident occurred around 5 pm.

According to police and the victim’s family, some local men allegedly objected to the groom riding a horse and began hurling caste-based abuses. When the family protested, the accused reportedly blocked the road by parking a vehicle and then attacked the procession.

Golu, who is physically challenged, was allegedly pulled down from the horse, thrown to the ground, and beaten. His sister, Manisha Ahirwar, who tried to intervene, was also assaulted. The family further alleged that some of her gold jewellery went missing during the chaos.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attackers clearly stated they would not allow such a procession in the area, indicating caste-based discrimination. The family has alleged that the attack was not spontaneous but driven by caste prejudice.

Following the incident, members of the Dalit community reached Hata police station and lodged a complaint. Based on this, police registered an FIR under relevant sections, including the SC/ST Act, against the accused identified as Vishwanath Lodhi, Chintu Lodhi, and others.

Hata police station in-charge Sudhir Begi confirmed the case and said efforts are underway to arrest the accused. “A case has been registered, and the accused will be apprehended soon,” he said.

Heavy police deployment was made in the village to prevent further tension, after which the wedding procession resumed. The groom and his family later proceeded to complete the wedding rituals.

Local sources indicated that similar objections to Dalit wedding processions had been reported earlier in the village as well.

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