Upper caste boycotts Dalits for riding horse in wedding

The upper caste people of a village in Mehsana district in north Gujarat have allegedly boycotted scheduled caste residents in protest against a youth from the latter’s community who rode a horse during his wedding. The upper caste group is alleged to have issued a diktat not to deal with scheduled castes in any manner.

An FIR was registered with Bavlu police station in Kadi taluka of Mehana district on Wednesday. The local police arrested the village sarpanch identified as Vinuji Thakor on Thursday. Four more accused are said to be absconding.

The scheduled caste people alleged that a group of upper caste men led by village sarpanch Thakor had issued the diktat asking the fellow caste members to boycott the scheduled caste community. A complaint lodged by one Manubhai Parmar (50), says that on May 7, his son Mehul's marriage procession, traditionally called Varghoda (groom riding a horse), was taken out through the village.

After this, a meeting was held on May 8, and the village sarpanch, deputy sarpanch and others announced the boycott of scheduled castes. Deputy superintendent of police Manjita Vanzara confirmed this with the reporters.

Since then, the social boycott is allegedly on. The upper caste men have stopped selling essentials like milk to scheduled castes. Rs 5,000 fine is being allegedly slapped on those who are found dealing with them.

The situation is tense in the village. The police have been deployed in the village, and are holding meetings with the upper caste community to immediately end such illegal boycott and reach an amicable situation.