The marriage processions, it seems, are turning out to be the new form of assertion for the Dalits in Gujarat.
The state saw two incidents on Sunday in which Dalit families faced aggression for their decision to take out a wedding procession.
It should be noted that in several villages in Gujarat, a wedding procession (either on a horse or in a car) in the village is often taken out by members of the upper caste only.
In one incident in Sabarkantha, a wedding procession of Dalits saw stone pelting after opposition by Thakors while in Aravali, Patel community members blocked another procession by sitting on the road and chanting bhajans.
On Sunday, the family of Ramesh Rathod had to seek police protection to ensure that the marriage procession of their son was taken out in the village. But that did not prevent the rest of the villagers of Sitavada village in Prantij taluka of Sabarkantha district to gather around the procession with stones in their hands. The wedding procession was of Anil Rathod, son of Ramesh Rathod.
"The upper caste members had gathered around with stones in their hands. A minor scuffle had happened but the cops threatened to arrest those who opposed it and hence the procession could be taken out," said Bhikhabhai Vaniya. He said they had also objected to the groom offering prayers at the village temple.
Rathod, when contacted, said a minor stone pelting had happened and a man, part of the music company, had a minor injury.
According to deputy superintendent of police Meenakshi Patel, "The family of the Anil Rathod submitted an application to the police seeking protection for the wedding procession. In their application, the Dalit members of the village had raised apprehension that members of another community might create trouble". Patel said the procession was peaceful.
The village has around 700 Thakors while it has only 18 Dalit families.
Incidentally, in the same village, a few days ago the wedding procession of a police constable too was carried out under police protection after upper caste members opposed the same.
In a separate incident in Khambisar village in the state's Aravalli district, members of the Patidar community organised bhajan and yagna on the main road to stall a Dalit's wedding procession, the groom's family alleged.
Past instance of boycott of Dalits
On May 7, the entire community of Dalits in Lahor village of Mehsana district, Kadi taluka, faced a boycott after one Mehul Parmar decided to ride a horse as part of his wedding procession through the village. The sarpanch and others sought social boycott of the community and announced a fine of Rs 5000 for anyone who talked to the community. Five people were arrested after an FIR was filed in this connection.
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