Congress on Saturday, 5 May, came down on authorities in a part of Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district for asking panchayat heads to inform the police in advance if there is a wedding in a Dalit family, saying the move “further isolates” an already marginalised community. The circular was later withdrawn.
In a statement, Congress leader Pl Punia also accused the BJP-led government of bias against the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, saying that some Dalit members of the ruling party had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with their complaints.
The Mahidpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate issued the circular asking Dalits to submit notice three days before their wedding if they need protection, as a preventive action to maintain law and order. However, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district said that the circular was revoked as it was not appropriate.
This order came days after a groom belonging to Dalit community was forced to get off his horse and was beaten up by villagers during his marriage procession in Naag Guradia village, Mahidpur.
Congress Accuses BJP of Bias
Questioning the order in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh concerning advance information about Dalit weddings, Punia said: “One is forced to wonder as to what the police will do. Will it ensure that the Dalits behave themselves by not being overtly celebratory? Will it ensure that the roads are cleared so that a Dalit does not inadvertently touch or spite an upper caste person? Or will it ensure that the Dalit groom sits on a horse only after paying a hefty bribe?”
“In either case it is a move that further discriminates, isolates and terrorises an already marginalised community,” he said.
(With inputs from wires)
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