AJMER: A dalit groom rode a horse for his marriage procession defying threats from upper caste villagers for the first time under tight police security at Neemada village in Rajasthan ’s Ajmer district on Friday night. Dalits are not allowed to ride a horse especially for marriage processions.

Ranjeet Singh Berwa’s family had sought police help after the villagers had threatened him against riding a horse for his marriage procession. But the cops had told them to follow the village tradition forcing the family to file an application before the Center for Dalit Rights (CDR), which informed the district collector Vabhav Gallaria about it.

“We investigated and found that dalits were banned from moving on horses and no one had courage to break this law," said CDR’s Ramesh Chand Bansal.

The district administration took the complaint seriously and Gallaria instructed police to ensure the marriage procession’s security.

Sub division officer Om Parkash Sharma, Tahsildar Ram Chand Meena and police in-charge Sugan Singh oversaw the security deployed.

Even under tight security, many were not sure whether to break the custom. “No one, even me, my father and my five sons ever had the courage to go through the roads in the village on a horse," said a resident.

Officials said there was some tension as the procession started. “There were chances of conflict at that time but we were alert," said an official.

When the procession reached the center of the village, celebrations erupted. “It is like dream for us and felt that we too have right to dignity," said Peeruji.

Another resident, Ram Karan Berwa, said thousands of marriages have taken place in the village but no dalit family had ever dared to “break this law".

As per the tradition, a dalit groom has to step down from the horse within Neemada’s limits and go to bride’s house on foot. “Those who have tried breaking this custom were punished severely mostly with heavy penalties," said Berwa.

