‘How can Dalits hold a wedding in a hall?’ shouted the mob before starting to beat everyone present; two persons were grievously injured
NEW DELHI – Angered by a Dalit family’s wedding in a marriage hall in Rasra city in Uttar Pradesh’s Balia District, a mob of upper caste men attacked the reveling Scheduled Caste family with sticks and rods on Friday night, police said. Two persons sustained grievous injuries in the attack, police said.
The attackers reportedly hurled incendiary and caste-based insults, angry that the Dalit family was using the hall for the wedding celebrations, media reports reaching here said on Sunday.
Raghvendra Gautam, the brother of one of the injured men, filed the police complaint. He said, “We were celebrating happily when suddenly a group of men stormed in and shouted, ‘How can Dalits hold a wedding in a hall?’ Then they started beating everyone.”
The attack happened at the Swayamvar Marriage Hall around 10.30 pm. The two severely injured persons, Ajay Kumar and Manan Kant, are now receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Gautam’s complaint said that about 20 men led the attack. “They came with sticks and rods and hit us without fear,” it added.
The complainant has identified Aman Sahni, Deepak Sahni, Rahul, and Akhilesh as part of the marauding mob.
Rasra Police Station in-charge Vipin Singh said, “We have registered a case under the law, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. We are investigating the matter.”
So far, no arrests have been made, with the police claiming that attempts are being made to nab the assailants.
The incident has shocked the local Dalit community, who are demanding justice. “We just want to celebrate our family events in peace, like everyone else,” said a resident.
Atrocities against Dalits, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, are alarmingly prevalent. According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the state reported 12,287 cases of Dalit atrocities in 2022, accounting for 23.78% of the total 51,656 cases registered nationwide under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This staggering number highlights the state’s disturbing trend of violence and discrimination against marginalised communities.
The National Crime Records Bureau’s 2022 data further emphasises the gravity of the situation, revealing a 16% increase in cases from 2021 to 2022, with 15,368 cases registered in Uttar Pradesh.
Dalits have historically faced physical assault, humiliation, and social boycotts, emphasising the need for urgent action and accountability to protect their rights.
The ineffective implementation of laws remains a significant challenge in ensuring social justice for Dalits. Despite stringent laws, low conviction rates and inadequate special courts hinder justice for victims.
