After 75 years, Dalit groom rides horse in village wedding:Reaches temple carrying Constitution book, wedding under police protection

You may have heard and read several reports of Dalit grooms taking out their wedding processions under police protection in different parts of Madhya Pradesh, but in Kuankheda village of Patera tehsil in Damoh district, history was created after 75 years. For the first time, a Dalit groom from the Bansal community took out his wedding procession in a grand manner while riding a horse through the village streets. As the groom rode through Kuankheda, he held not only the reins of the horse but also the Constitution of India in his hands, turning the moment into a powerful symbol of equality and rights. The sound of drums echoed across the village, relatives danced with joy, and the atmosphere reflected both celebration and pride. Members of the community said that this was not merely a traditional wedding procession, but a celebration of self-respect and dignity. They expressed gratitude to the police and local administration for ensuring that the procession was conducted peacefully and without any dispute, calling it a significant step towards social change and harmony. See pictures related to wedding procession The family had feared a possible conflict in the village and therefore sought police assistance in advance. A day earlier, on Wednesday, members of the Bansal community along with the SC Mahasabha submitted an application to SP Shrut Kirti Somvanshi. In the application, they expressed apprehension that some influential villagers might try to create a disturbance during the horse-mounted wedding procession scheduled for Thursday, and requested police protection. Taking the matter seriously, the SP directed the Hata police station to ensure peace and law and order. On Wednesday night, Patera Tehsildar Umesh Tiwari, along with the Hata police force, reached the village. Officials held discussions with members of the Bansal family as well as other villagers to prevent any untoward incident and to ensure that the procession could take place smoothly. Villagers told police, ‘We have no objection’ During the discussions, it became clear that the Bansal community had only expressed apprehension about a possible dispute and there was no actual opposition. People from other communities in the village also clarified that they had no objection to the Dalit groom taking out the horse-mounted wedding procession and assured full cooperation. Following this mutual understanding, groom Nandu Bansal mounted the horse and the wedding procession proceeded peacefully. SC Mahasabha President Akash Bharti said that SP Shrut Kirti Somvanshi extended full support in the matter, due to which the procession was carried out smoothly in the presence of the police. He added that the police and administration provided complete cooperation throughout the event. The groom’s brother, Jeevan Bansal, said that such harmony and brotherhood should always prevail in the village, so that everyone can live together with dignity and mutual respect.