How Caste Atrocities Shattered a Dalit Wedding in Mathura: 6 Arrested After Brides Assaulted, Grooms' Family Calls Off Marriage

Mathura- In a harrowing incident that depicts the persistent scourge of caste-based violence in India, two Dalit sisters were brutally assaulted and publicly humiliated by a group of goons on their wedding day in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

The incident, which began over a minor dispute, spiraled into a two-hour-long rampage, leaving the brides traumatized, the groom’s family injured, and the wedding canceled.

The Refinery police have since arrested six accused, including the main perpetrator, Rohitash Yadav, and seized weapons used in the attack.

The two sisters, belonging to the Dalit community, were set to marry in a joint ceremony in a village under the Refinery police station area. After getting ready at a beauty parlor in Township, they were being driven back to the wedding venue by their uncle when the altercation began.

At around 8 PM, near a cowshed on a dirt road, their car was confronted by bike-borne youths, Rohitash Yadav and his accomplice Pistol, who demanded passage. When the car did not immediately give way, the situation escalated.

Enraged, Rohitash Yadav and his accomplices dragged the brides’ uncle out of the car and began beating him. When the two sisters stepped out to intervene, they were met with further violence.

The goons threw mud on their faces, hurled abuses, and physically assaulted them. The brides, dressed in their wedding finery, were left humiliated and traumatized.

The violence did not stop there. Rohitash Yadav, consumed by anger, gathered more associates and stormed the wedding venue. The baarat had arrived from Rajasthan's Deeg and the grooms were brothers. Armed with sticks and rods, the goons attacked the grooms' family and guests.

They used a tractor to damage vehicles belonging to the wedding party. The grooms' father was brutally beaten with a stick, leaving him severely injured.

The chaos and violence left the marriage party in shock, and the family decided to call off the wedding, leaving the venue with the wedding procession.

Following the incident, the Refinery police acted swiftly and arrested six individuals, including Rohitash Yadav. During the arrests, the police recovered a woman’s ring, an iron rod, and a stick used in the assault.

The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The two sisters, who had been looking forward to their wedding day, are now left heartbroken and traumatized. “They beat us, threw mud on our faces, and hurled filthy abuses at us. They attacked our uncle and our would-be father-in-law. They have ruined our lives,” one of the brides said, tears streaming down her face. The sisters, who were supposed to start a new chapter in their lives, are now grappling with the emotional and social fallout of the incident.

Dr. Gayatri Tiwari, Family Relations Expert says, "This incident is not just a physical assault but a deep psychological wound that will take years to heal. The public humiliation and trauma inflicted on these brides will leave lasting scars, affecting their self-esteem, trust in society, and ability to form relationships in the future. Such acts of caste-based violence not only shatter individual lives but also perpetuate a cycle of fear and oppression within marginalized communities."

The incident has sparked outrage in the village and beyond, with many condemning the blatant caste-based violence and the humiliation of the brides. The village remains tense, and additional police forces have been deployed to prevent any further escalation.

The brides’ family has demanded justice, while the community has called for stricter measures to protect the rights and dignity of Dalits and other marginalized groups.

This incident is a depiction of the systemic oppression and caste-based violence that continues to plague Indian society. It highlights the vulnerability of marginalized communities, even during moments of celebration and joy.

The assault on the brides and the subsequent cancellation of the wedding have left the families devastated and the community shaken.