Uttar Pradesh — Some news from Bulandshahr led to a massive outcry on social media. A Dalit bridegroom's marriage procession had to be conducted under the protection of PAC jawans [Provincial Armed Constabulary] and police forces. The Dalit groom, Gaurav Gautam, belongs to a village located in the Kakod police station area of Bulandshahr. Gaurav himself is currently posted in Jammu and Kashmir. There is an ongoing dispute in his village between the Dalit community and the so-called upper caste people.

According to reports, eight months ago, when another Dalit youth in the village had attempted to ride a mare, there had been a significant disruption in which one person also died. Gaurav was apprehensive that such a situation could happen again during his wedding and so he requested protection from the police.

Following this, the marriage procession went ahead under police protection. Meena Kotwal, the editor-in-chief of The Mooknayak, wrote a tweet on this matter: "The country runs according to Babasaheb's constitution. What, however, will be the condition of Dalits in Hindu Rashtra (Manuvidhan)? [We] should think about this matter" While retweeting MeenaKotwal's tweet, BulandshahrPolice threatened to take action against the editor.

The Bulandshahr Police tweet stated: "Your tweet is inflammatory, highly objectionable and dangerous for social harmony. Please delete it immediately, otherwise, a case will be registered and legal action was taken against you."

The Mooknayak's editor-in-chief has lodged a complaint with the NCW (National Commission for Women). And questions have been asked about this behavior of the police toward a female journalist.

In actual fact, ANI had tweeted a news item on Sunday as follows: "Uttar Pradesh: A Dalit man's ghudchadhi[wedding horse riding ceremony]took place in a village of Bulandshahrunder security of PAC jawans and police forces. ASI Vinay Kumar Singh said permission was sought from the police for the Ghudchadhi. We deployed some forces as a precaution, and the Ghudchadhi ceremony proceeded uneventfully."The editor-in-chief of The Mooknayakretweeted the ANI post noting that:

"PAC jawan and police force presence is called upon so a Dalit can ride on a mare. This is happening when Babasaheb'sconstitution is in force in the country.

"Just think, what will your situation be like in a Hindu Rashtra (Manuvidhan)? Think, think…

"I repeat, think again and again, and also think about what happened to our ancestors in the Manu era?" Bulandshahr Police responded to this tweet byMeenaKotwal as follows: "Your inflammatory and highly objectionable tweet are dangerous for social harmony. Please delete it immediately, otherwise, a case will be registered and legal action was taken against you."

Meena Kotwal then tweeted in reply to the Bulandshahr Police: "Don't try to threaten us, when the people's rights are violated, we will not sit silently!"

The point Meena is made is that it is our constitutional right to raise our voice against injustice and that in "Hindu Rashtra" countless crimes have been committed on the basis of the laws of Manu against Dalits and other marginalized peoples. Taking cognizance of this, the parliament of our country has passed many legislative acts to protect their rights. When the police won't enforce the law in regard to these rights, if underprivileged people in the country are killed for sporting a mustache or sometimes for riding a horse, then we will raise our voice. Are you people in return actually threatening us for doing this?

Meena also tweeted: "CM @myogiadityanathji, immediate action should be taken against the police officials who are tweeting these threats against us. Such tweets can instigate a flood of the particular crimes that are committed against the underprivileged. We are the people who believe in Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar, the architect of the constitution, it is our duty to raise our voice against injustice. We will not sit silent and the police should focus on their work."However, following this tweet, Bulandshahr Police has not tweeted further on this matter. But there has been considerable condemnation on social media of their behavior towards the female journalist, with many people strongly voicing their dismay and disapproval.

Senior journalist Dilip Mandal wrote: "Take action against those because of whom you had to provide police cover to ensure security for the Ghudchadhi of a Dalit groom. If there was a rule of law, the police wouldn't have needed to be deployed. Threatening an editor in this way is not a good idea. IPC Section 506 is applicable against [such] intimidation."

Filmmaker Vinod Kaprinoted: "Chief Minister @myogiadityanathji, since when has it become a crime to write about discrimination against Dalits? And considering it such a serious crime that @bulandshahrpol is openly threatening @KotwalMeena? Immediate action should be taken against such police officials. @CMOfficeUP @UPGovt @ShishirGoUP @Uppolice @dgpup"

Senior journalist Ajit Anjum wrote: "Like the ones making such a direct threat @bulandshahrpol, according to the law, it is you who should be asked under which section of the IPC is it a crime to comment on an incident? Will you now use threats to silence journalists? @myogioffice @dgpup @dmbulandshahr"

Senior journalist Sumit Chauhan wrote: "They can commit murder and there will be no discussion, but for us, even if we just let out a sigh, we become ignominious. @Uppolice is issuing a direct threat to a Dalit woman journalist and that too for talking about the constitution. Shameful."

Retired IAS official Surya Pratap Singh commented: "Will @bulandshahrpol tell us under which section of the IPC is stating the reality a crime? Or has it become a new trend in UP to use the threat of FIR for every little matter?"

While ASP member Kanishk Singh wrote: "Your response seems to imply that a political party or a casteist organization is threatening or daring someone. Please maintain the dignity of the police. Do not give such suggestions and threats @bulandshahrpol @KotwalMeena".

Adivasi activist Arjun Meher wrote: "@bulandshahrpolplease tell us what is objectionable and provocative about @KotwalMeena's tweet..? Or have you taken a contract from the government to threaten this country's journalists and social workers..?"

Journalist Kaushik Raj also wrote: "Sir, is it not extremely objectionable and dangerous for social harmony that a Dalit cannot feel safe while climbing a horse and he has to resort to police protection? How can action possibly be sanctioned against raising one's voice against this casteism?

Journalist Shyam Meera Singh commented as follows on the matter: "@bulandshahrpolI am also making the same statement as made by MeenaKotwalji. If an FIR is lodged against them, then an FIR should be lodged against me too. If you find that this [declaration] is not enough, shall I say more? India is a secular and democratic country that runs as per the Indian constitution and not the laws of Manu. Now please lodge an FIR."

The chief editor of The Mooknayak has lodged a complaint with NCW, i.e. the National Commission for Women regarding the matter, and also raised questions regarding the behavior of the police towards a female journalist. Along with this, demand has been made for action against the police officers responsible for the tweet.

At the same time, when The Mooknayak tried to talk to Bulandshahr SSP Santosh Kumar Singh on the matter, he said that no such case regarding a controversy around a tweet [from the police] had come to their notice. He has refused to say anything further on the matter as of now.