A scheduled caste man, belonging to Gadalwada village of Banaskantha’s Palanpur taluka, has appealed for police protection for his wedding procession on February 6 in which he plans to ride a horse.
He is the first in his community to seek police assistance to ensure his safety.
Mukesh Parecha, an advocate, in an application to the police personnel, has mentioned about the past incidents of violence by the upper caste in nearby villages during processions in Dalit weddings.
Parecha emphasised that the SC community members in Gadalwada never had a wedding procession, marking this event notably significant.
“We are first in our community to take this step, but the possibility of resistance and violence is very real,” he wrote in the application.
The wedding, set for February 6, will include processions from the groom’s farmhouse to the village at approximately 9.30 a.m.
In his letter to the Banaskantha SP, Parecha mentioned that previous incidents of attacks on Dalit processions had taken place in villages, such as Saripada and Motagam, located just one to 13 kilometres away, all under the jurisdiction of Gadh Police Station.
“This is not a hypothetical request based on assumptions. Without police protection, an untoward incident is inevitable,” he added.
Local Dalit leaders have expressed their support.
Jignesh Mevani, Congress MLA and Dalit Leader, said “This speaks volumes about what we as a society are.”
He emphasised the Dalit’s condition in Gujarat and asked the SP for immediate intervention and security.
“It also speaks about the condition of the Dalits of Gujarat. Parecha’s village is in my constituency Vadgam, which falls in Banaskantha, an atrocity-prone city. In this case, the SP must immediately intervene and help provide police protection,” he added.
Also Read: Gujarat: NHRC Intervenes in Amreli Letter Scandal, Demands Explanation from DGP
