Cops, local admin help Dalit man in wedding

A Dalit man from Jaipur sought the help of the local police and administration ahead of his wedding. Suspecting opposition by the locals on carrying out a Bindori — a procession atop a horse taken out across the local area — the man wrote a letter to district collector Jaipur, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) and other administrative and police officials. seeking protection from certain groups in the area.

Bhagwan Sahay Raigar — a native of Barala in bassi tehsil area — has written that he is to be married on November 13, for which the Bindori procession would be taken out in the afternoon. He further states that for the past several years there has been a tradition in his village that Dalits are not allowed by the higher castes to take out the procession atop a horse, leading them to beat and threaten the dalits and lower castes.

Terming it a social evil, the man states that although the family wants to take out the Bindori procession, they are afraid of the higher caste groups. Raigar further said that if any ill occurence happens, the administration and police would be liable.

In fact, the authorities did come to the man's aid on Monday and helped him take out the procession. "A team from the Shivdaspura police station was sent to the village where other officials including a tehsilar were also present to ensure a peaceful procession. No ill incident occurred as the procession was carried out with a vigil of a dozen police and administrative officials" said Deepak Khandelwal, station house officer, Shivdaspura police station.